I don’t really have any pottery or ceramic needs, but if I was so inclined to be creative with pottery or ceramics, Clay Art Center at 2636 Pioneer Way East – Tacoma, WA 98404 is where I would go! We are in search of bathroom tiles (still) and thought we’d check out this place. It is a large facility and they really do seem to have it all. Just not artistic pre-made ceramic tiles. Their website can be found here: http://www.clayartcenter.net/
The community garden at the corner of Center Avenue and Tyler Street has the most unusual art of any of the local community gardens. The entry arch is appropriately titled “Working”and features a hammer, chisel and gears. A near by bench has pliers and a saw. The art is by Otto Youngers. The garden itself, known as Tyler Square Park, is only half occupied, but that half is full of healthy looking vegetables.
Tacoma Weekly recently wrote an article on the space, It can be found here:
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/citylife/art/know_your_public_art_oakland_madronas_working_gateway/
The artist’s website is here: http://www.ottoyoungers.com/
Firemen’s Park at South 8th and ‘A’ Street in Downtown Tacoma is reputed to have the world’s largest totem pole. At 105′ long (82′ above ground) the 1903, red cedar totem pole certainly is tall. The park also features a bronze statue, Leading the Way, by Larry Anderson. Mr. Anderson has several sculptures around town including the one in front of Union Station. Today somebody placed a shawl on the logger, perhaps to help with the cool nights! The park is rounded out by views of Commencement Bay, the Port of Tacoma, the Murry Morgan Bridge, Mt. Rainier and the Tacoma Dome.
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The pocket park at the northwest corner of South 84th Street and Yakima Avenue in the Fern Hill District is charming. It has a couple of benches, a clock, a street light, thoughtful landscaping and some art. The hand bench is just plain fun and there is also a relief of the original Fern Hill School as seen in 1888. Most interesting is a historic marker that says S. 84th Street is an old covered wagon trail and was legally established as a road in 1852 to create an escape route in case of an Indian uprising.
When I saw that the Bead Factory on Sixth Avenue had closed, I thought I had lost my chance to visit. But they had just moved to 5705 N 26th Street, Tacoma, WA 98407. I actually just went in for some of those little plastic things that goes in the back of pierced earrings so they don’t fall off (what are those things called?!).
They store was bustling with lots of happy looking women and one guy. In addition to a traditional retail store, they have classes and parties and mail order. I even joined their club for $3.00, which gives me a $10 store credit after I spend $100 and gets me on their mailing list. I just might go to one of their Saturday night beading parties! Stranger things have happened 🙂
The Bead Factory’s Website is here:
http://www.thebeadfactory.com/
Their Facebook page is here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bead-Factory-Inc/159406874807
The new place of the day is the parking lot next to the old Elks Club. The parking lot itself is poorly maintained with weeds and broken glass. When I drove past, I saw that art had occurred twice! There is a great sign that says Really Love Something and colorful tape art on the side of the building.
For more info on the Street Sign Project, check out their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Street-Sign-Project/190125424342675
And here are a couple of articles about the project
http://www.cityartsonline.com/issues/tacoma/2011/07/street-signs
For a related new place, see http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=3187
One of my favorite group of friends gathered today at Green Spot Tea and Art Gallery at 3318 Bridgeport Way University Place, WA 98466. For lunch I had a pot of Ginger Tea ($2.00), a Verrrry Spicy Ranch and Grilled Chicken ($6.50) and a key lime tart ($3.00) for a grand total of $11.50. That is a lot of great food for the price! And I brought 1/2 the wrap back home with me.
I really like the decor at the Green Spot, it has clean lines and not a bunch of cute clutter like many tea stores. The hanging show of fabric based art was lovely.
The Green Spot’s Web Site can be found here: http://www.greenspottea.com/
Update: I went past today (8/20/12) and it was gone. Looks like a wine bar is moving in
I’ve long admired the bold graffiti style art on the dumpster at the corner of South 56th Street and South Sheridan. One side is abstract and the other gives homage to Vanessa, who lived between 1978 and 2003. I searched for information about this young woman, but had no luck. The art work is dated 2010.
I’ve been wanting to see the Woody Allen’s new movie Midnight in Paris and today was the day. It is playing exclusively at the Grand Cinema at 606 South Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, WA and that is great, since it is one of my favorite theaters. It was a wonderful movie that made me want to book a ticket to Paris right away. I was especially glad to see it since my book group is reading Tender is the Night this year and F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the characters in the film.
To see more about the movie, go here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605783/
The Grand Cinema is a nonprofit, art house theater and its mission is to enhance the cultural vitality of the community through the art of film. Their selection of movies is very thoughtful and they show films that often just aren’t available any place else in Pierce County. In addition their theaters are comfortable, the snacks extra good and the mostly volunteer staff is excellent!
The Grand’s website is here:
Student art at PLU is the new place of the day. Most people won’t see the subliminal message here, but I do!
