TACOMA ART PLACE

Tacoma Art Place was a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic expression by providing access to art equipment and instruction to people of all ages and monetary means.  After their ribbon cutting opening in 2007, I became the first artist in residence the end of 2008 and used my residency to create a permanent gallery (TAP Gallery) in their spacious lobby.  Our goal was to provide monthly curated exhibit space to highlight local artists as well as to show the community the opportunity for creating art in the many mediums that Tacoma Art Place offered.

As both the Curator and Exhibit Coordinator I prepared the space to professionally exhibit artwork and began the intense planning and development process for curating monthly themed shows.  For each call to artists I personally met with artist applicants, did studio visits, and coordinated all the details of delivery, hanging and pick up.  I also prepared the exhibit space, created promotional material and organized opening receptions for each show.

Below is a list of all the exhibits Tacoma Art Place's TAP Gallery offered the community under my curatorial watch.

DECEMBER 2008 

The Art of Co-Ops

Tacoma in 2008 had a number of artists Cooperatives where space could be rented by artists at an affordable price, and quality artwork was created on a regular basis.  A call to artists who used a co-op went out in November, and after interviewing applicants to the call, 8 artists were chosen to show their work with 20 pieces curated and exhibited for the month of December

JANUARY 2009

The Art of Cara Jennings

A solo show exhibiting 15 mixed media pieces

FEBRUARY 2009

Encaustics by Judy Gilbert

A solo show exhibiting 18 encaustic works of art

MARCH 2009

Tactile Textiles

7 textile artists exhibited 20 2D and 3D pieces

APRIL 2009

Father/daughter photographers teamed up to show their work

John Meek - with theme A Touch of Color and 

Taylor Williams with her theme A Day at the Beach exhibited 20 pieces.

MAY 2009

100th Money at TAP Gallery

In the early years of the new millenium, a group of visionaries Tacoma art activists offered a community wide one night party - usually monthly -in large empty spaces throughout Tacoma.  In attendance at these parties were invited artists who had created monkey themed artwork that could be given away or sold for a donation to the arts community.  TAP Gallery's exhibit the month of May featured 2D and 3D artwork from 8 100th Monkey contributing artists displaying 24 pieces plus TAP Gallery showcased all the tiles created for each 100th Monky party since the inception of the event.

JUNE 2009

Metal Urge at TAP Gallery

Metal-Urge is Tacoma’s city-wide celebration of the metal arts during which venues around Tacoma program a wide variety of metal-based activities including exhibits, workshops, lectures, and festivals.  TAP Gallery was honored in 2009 to be awarded as an exhibit venue for artists working in metal.  8 artists displayed 24 2D and 3D metal crafted pieces.

JULY 2009

Volunteers of TAP Gallery

Tacoma Art Place honored the hardworking volunteer artists who tirelessly helped artists of all ages and mediums create their work.  8 artists exhibited 24 2D and 3D pieces

SEPTEMBER 2009 

Newly emerging sculptor Irene Osborn and beadwork artist Teresa Owens exhibited 26 2D and 3D pieces.

OCTOBER 2009

The Art of Fashion

4 fashion designers exhibited over 30 of their new creations.

NOVEMBER 2009

Celebrating Veterans 

Veteran artists Mark Lubich - glass  and Charles Minton - distressed metal exhibited 16 2D and 3D pieces

DECEMBER 2009 

This month marked the end of my 1 year residency as creator and curator of TAP Gallery.  A new curator was interviewed and chosen as my successor.  

Exhibit this month was my teaming up with glass artist Mark Lubich to showcase 25 of our 2D and 3D pieces.  Our collaboration was so successful, Mark and I went on to create and exhibit in several other gallery shows.