Art block party

Photos by Lisa Kinoshita

ART ON THE STREETS. For the first ever Spaceworks Tacoma Block Party, all the stops have been pulled to bring together a true celebration of art in its varying forms. From film to dance, art-based business to visual art, Spaceworks is highlighting art of all sorts for the next few months in previously abandoned Tacoma storefronts.

The city of Tacoma and Seattle-based arts non-profit Shunpike have teamed up to plan a project in which Tacoma artists could band together to revamp empty downtown storefronts. The goal: to make the abandoned sites something worth stopping in front of – rather than passing by the empty spaces without a second thought.

The result of these entities’ collaboration, along with the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, is Spaceworks Tacoma – a program created to revitalize abandoned storefronts and vacant spaces by filling them with temporary art installations and performances – otherwise known as “artscapes.” There will be spaces for artists to create for months at a time, spaces for creative enterprises to begin and also for “pop-up” events.

All the planning and choosing of artists has come and gone and now the city and Shunpike are gearing up to host one of Tacoma’s premiere summer events: the Spaceworks Block party, taking place July 29 from 4:30-8 p.m. on 9th and Broadway and the surrounding area.

“There will be walking tours that go through all of the different spaces and the artists will be available to talk to about their projects,” said Lindsey Conlin, graduate program intern at Shunpike. “It’s making the spaces transform and we want to share this with people at the event. We’ll also be having some film screenings going on and local Tacoma artists, musicians and dance groups will be performing. It’s a great way for people to have fun and embrace the arts in Tacoma.”

In total, 17 storefronts downtown have been taken over by 19 artists, with more additions coming in September. This number includes art installations (being displayed in windows), along with artist residencies and a few creative enterprises that will be allowed to sell wares that the artists make themselves, or that they’ve commissioned others to sell at the space.

In terms of prep time and set-up for their Spaceworks debuts, artists had varying amounts of time to get their work up and exhibited. From one week to a month, the amount of time allotted to the artists depended upon whether they were starting up their business or hanging pieces. The artists (see full list of participating artists below) will get between three to six months to utilize their space as part of Spaceworks. “Artists can apply for an extension if they feel it’s necessary,” Conlin added.

The artist residencies and creative enterprise participants in Spaceworks include: filmmaker Aaron Flett, using the space to film his movie “Jesus for Less;” artist Jennifer Adams (creator of the Tacoma is For Lovers craft fair) will be opening up her indie craft boutique Fly; Tiffanie Peters will be opening up Chiffon, a store showing her unique fashion and jewelry, as well as other designers; Susan Thompson will be selling her handmade pottery wares; Kristie Worthey and Shakespeare in the Parking Lot will take up a space to practice and prepare for “Titus Andronicus;” Meghan Lancaster will work on her fiber and textile art and culminate in a finished art exhibit; Joshua Everson will take “dynamic portraits of Tacomans” in addition to teaching photography; and Isaac Olsen (creator of the film “Quiet Shoes”) will be using the space to work on more projects and create more films.

Artists whose locations are to be announced include Adam Ydstie and Doug Stoeckichtthe of the Warehouse, a collaborative art and music space, and Sam Olsen, who will be creating an all-ages, rock/indie/punk music venue to host local up-and-coming music talent.

In addition to all of the artists showing off their work in newly enlivened spaces, there will also be tons of entertainment at the corner of 9th and Broadway to keep visitors entertained throughout the evening. Bands Hail and Makeup Monsters will take the stage, spoken word poets Antonio Edwards and Tacoma Poet Laureate Tammy Robacker will fill the evening with poetry, and Shakespeare in the Parking Lot will be putting on free live performances, the Broadway Center will be giving visitors a preview of the center’s upcoming 2010-2011 season in addition to many more performances taking place throughout the night.

Many individuals who live in Tacoma have discussed and debated about whether or not downtown has actually seen an arts “revitalization” or not. No matter someone’s stance on the matter, Spaceworks Tacoma proves that the city, and supportive arts organizations such as Shunpike, are doing their best to make sure Tacoma flourishes with the art of its talented locals.

“It’s a chance for the community to see amazing projects and how they’ve changed the vacant spaces,” Conlin said. “We want more awareness of downtown to fill the spaces and revitalize Tacoma – it makes you want to do more of this and we hope we have these kinds of people coming out for the event.”

The Spaceworks Tacoma Block Party takes place tonight at the intersection of 9th Street and Broadway from 4:30-8 p.m. For more information about Spaceworks Tacoma, and the artists participating and the event, visit http://www.spaceworkstacoma.com.

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