FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 4, 2016
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
City Issues Call to Artists for Projects Along Prairie Line Trail
--Application Deadline is Midnight on Nov. 10--
The City of Tacoma invites artists and/or artist teams who reside in Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, or British Columbia, to submit qualifications for one of four $55,000 commissions to create artwork along a segment of the Prairie Line Trail in downtown Tacoma. Each artwork will provide historic interpretation for an important location or theme along the trail in an artful way. The application deadline is midnight on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016.
“We are excited to see how artists interpret the significance of this historic corridor in an engaging and dynamic way,” said Historic Preservation Officer Reuben McKnight. “It will be a great opportunity to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, while connecting people with the unique history of Tacoma.”
Selected artists will be encouraged to represent less told stories along the trail, and artists with diverse cultural perspectives are encouraged to apply.
The Prairie Line is historically significant as the west coast terminus of the Northern Transcontinental Railroad. The former BNSF Railway traveled the line through the Brewery District, University of Washington-Tacoma campus, past Tacoma Art Museum, and down to the Thea Foss Waterway - strengthening an important connection between downtown and the waterfront. Once completed, this rail to trail conversion of the Prairie Line Trail will create a linear park and active transportation gateway to the waterfront; build on downtown Tacoma's natural, historic, and cultural assets; and become an integral component of the vision of an attractive, livable, and revitalized downtown.
For a complete prospectus, visit cityoftacoma.org/artsopps or contact Public Art Specialist Rebecca Solverson at rebecca.solverson@cityoftacoma.org or call (253) 591-5564.
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