Three years ago, a couple of Tacoma natives started a new movement in arts and entertainment, melding visual arts and music together for monthly parties. But, they did it in Seattle.
For about two years the events, called Artifakt, grew in popularity and caliber as art and music lovers began to uncover the richness of mixing a club and gallery scene.
“We’re trying to fuse the art world,” co-founder Jake Wagoner said about the inspiration behind Artifakt. “There’s art gallery goers, and there’s people who like to go to the club. We’re trying to bridge that gap.”
Close to a year ago Artifakt finally began to tap into the Tacoma scene after Wagoner and co-founder Rob Ripley worked with local Matt Ecklund on last summer’s Urban Arts Fest, another event that fuses the two artistic genres.
Talk started about bringing Artifakt shows down to Tacoma, and they hosted the first successful event out of Jazzbones. A few months later, Artifakt began a consistent, monthly event for Tacomans, alternating between hip-hop centered shows at Jazzbones, and electro DJ beats at Robert Daniel Gallery.
On Sept. 25, Artifakt will celebrate its third birthday at Robert Daniel Gallery.
Artifakt has been celebrating its anniversary over the past two weeks at the event’s two steady Seattle venues. The Tacoma bash will be the third and last installment of the party, and the first of its kind in Tacoma.
The show is expected to be bigger than any previous Tacoma Artifakt events, bringing back Artifakt staples, artists and DJs who have been in the mix since the beginning.
Featured artists include Chris Sheridan, John Osgood, Dave Bloomfield, Luigi, Cash and Clone.
DJ Dig-Dug will be spinning the tunes, as well as Kassette and Flatblack, Bryan J. Furious and Jessebomb.
“We’re going strong in Tacoma, and we’re hoping as many people can come out and celebrate the third year of Artifakt,” Ecklund said. “Come for the art, stay for the show and dance your butt off.”
Artifakt’s three-year anniversary celebration starts at 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at The Robert Daniel Gallery, located at 2501 Fawcett Ave. Admission is $10, must be 21 or over to attend.
