Margaret K. Williams was an original member of the Pierce County Arts Commission in addition to being involved in the community in many capacities. She was active in the arts for many years, including 19 years spent as producer of the annual student art show for Tacoma Links, Inc. Williams also played a major role in shaping the commission’s ongoing commitment to the recognition and celebration of Pierce County’s cultural diversity. Following her death in 1990, the commission named these awards in her honor, from their original name as the Pierce County Arts Awards.
The 22nd annual Margaret K. Williams Awards ceremony, taking place on Nov. 5, is quickly approaching, and the awards’ emphasis proves to differ a bit from the usual array of arts awards in Tacoma, affirmed Marlette Buchanan, arts and community development manager for Pierce County government.
“The awards are mostly given to honor the members of the community who support the arts. (We use) that wording because lots of people think that arts awards are only for artists. We do that but also award teachers and arts programs that aren’t necessarily arts space organizations. This year it’s all individual artists – that’s a rarity.”
Some awards will go to individual artists who’ve done a lot of work, almost rivaling the efforts of some small organizations. The arts commission members voted for artists’ achievements that speak loudly to the community.
The 2009 Margaret K. Williams Awards recipients are: Daniel W. Craig, a visual artist working out of his Four Winds Studio and Gallery in Eatonville; Linda Danforth, a jewelry artist who has started the Jet Artist Cooperative, Broadway Artist Cooperative, Tacoma Art Place (TAP) and as of this year launched the 253 Collective; Candi Hall, a formally trained singer and dancer who is the creator and director of the D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts, a non-profit center dedicated to broadening the horizons of inner-city youth through the arts; Barbara Lee Smith, an internationally recognized contemporary textile artist, teacher and author; and Lynn Di Nino, who has been a freelance artist, teacher and entrepreneur for over 30 years.
The Margaret K. Williams Arts Awards ceremony will be held at the Tacoma Art Museum. A reception will be held prior in the front lobby at 5:30 p.m. From 6:30-7:30 p.m., attendees will be able to walk through the entire museum and view the latest exhibits, make connections and relax in the calming atmosphere. One of this year’s award recipients, Candi Hall, will head a group of young performers from the D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts as they perform a hip-hop tribute.
The Tacoma Art Museum is located at 1701 Pacific Ave. Appetizers and beverages will be served and the event is open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, call (253) 798-6902 or email .
Commenting rules
Tacoma Weekly is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:
Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.
Read full commenting rules