FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2014
 
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

Tacoma Celebrates Arts and Culture in October

October 2014 marks the 13th anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month – a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits, and workshops for all ages taking place every day throughout the month. Programming includes music, theater and dance performances; visual art exhibits; film screenings; literary readings; lectures; cultural events; and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free.

“October is National Arts and Humanities Month. In Tacoma, this means a month of celebration, the start of the performing arts season, parties, open studios, and hundreds of creative activities,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Traci Kelly. “We encourage everyone to get involved and explore all that the arts in Tacoma have to offer.”

Signature events include: 

• Tacoma Arts Month Opening Party and AMOCAT Arts Awards

The public is invited to attend a free celebration on Oct. 2 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Tacoma Post Office Building (1102 A St.). Live entertainment includes music by Speed Queen and Okinawa Taiko Drums, Trash Fashion Runway by Tinkertopia and Friends, theater performance by Working Class Theater, poetry by Tacoma Poet Laureate Lucas Smiraldo, and a tintype photo demonstration by Kyle Dillehay. There will also be an exhibition of work by Jessica Spring and The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation’s Foundation of Art Award Exhibit. The newly-renovated building will host a series of pop-up art exhibits by Beautiful Angle, Alice Di Certo, Isaac Olsen, Kristin Giordano, the C.L.A.W., and Poly Rev. Resident artists Abby Kok, Alana Tamminga and Katlyn Hubner will open their studios to the public for the evening. Additionally, there will be screenings of short films by Kat Ogden, Nick Butler, Kris Crews, Kate Walker, and The Grand Cinema.

There will be appetizers, dessert and a no-host bar. The event will include recognition of the Tacoma Arts Commission’s 2014 funding recipients and the AMOCAT Arts Award winners – ArtsFund, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and Jessica Spring. The event is presented by the Tacoma Arts Commission and Spaceworks Tacoma.

• Tacoma Studio Tour

Come see the spaces and tools with which 60 local artists create their work. You can ask questions and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. This free, self-guided tour runs Oct. 11 and Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and covers 36 locations around Tacoma. All studios will feature demonstrations of the artistic process or will have hands-on activities for visitors. Visit TacomaArtsMonth.com for a complete list of studio locations and a map.

Information about Tacoma Arts Month events and programming can be found online at TacomaArtsMonth.com. Tacoma Arts Month is sponsored by Click! Cable TV, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Tacoma Weekly, Northwest Public Radio, KPLU, Weekly Volcano, Premier Media Group, and Exit133.

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