Calls for Artists, and Other Artsy Stuff

We’ve noticed a couple calls-to-artists around town, and some other arts-related things, so we thought we’d share a few.

Portable Art
The City of Tacoma has issued a call to visual artists from Pierce, King, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties. The City is seeking submissions of “portable works” of art, either 2-D or small scale 3-D to expand its Municipal Art Collection. This collection is funded by the 1% for arts program. From the Call to artists:

Portable artworks from the Municipal Art Collection are installed in public spaces throughout City of Tacoma buildings with the goal of improving the quality of the work environment, creating community dialogue, and supporting local artists. Funding for this portable works purchase comes from percent for art funds associated with renovations to the Tacoma Municipal Building.

The deadline for submissions is May 14 at midnight. For more information, visit tacomaculture.org.

Art for AIDS – Ribbons of Reflection
For its 25th anniversary, the Pierce County AIDS Foundation will be honoring the work of its founding members, and its accomplishments over the last quarter century. From the call to artists:

Pierce County AIDS Foundation, in commemoration of our 25 years, is seeking artists of all media to create works of art featuring the iconic red ribbon, the visual symbol for the HIV/AIDS virus for the past 30 years. Artists may turn to photography, sculpture, glass, mixed media, ceramics, metal arts, fiber arts, art installation, light, or jewelry to design a work that conveys a personal statement and features the red ribbon in its design, either representational or in abstract form. Artwork should take into consideration the full range of the AIDS pandemic, from crisis to hope.

30 pieces will be selected to be placed on display in public venues, then auctioned off at PCAF’s 25th anniversary event on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2012. Applications are due April 27. For more information, visit www.piercecountyaids.org and follow the Call to Artists link.

Downtown Block Party
We read this from the Tacoma Arts blog:

Hello, all you lovely artists and arts advocates! This is a friendly head’s up that the Downtown Block Party (DBP) planning committee will be having an info meeting this Wednesday, April 4th, 6-7:30 pm, at 1120 Court E in Tacoma. As many of you know, the DBP is a very art-focused, creative community event. To find out more about it or to get involved in the planning, please come to this week’s meeting. DBP is offering a huge bounty (well, almost) for artists who will volunteer to facilitate an interactive art activity this year! The following Tuesday, DBP will be having an artist brainstorm sesh to dream up as many interesting, out-of-the-box ideas for the party as possible. It will be at the same place, 6-7:30, once again. Feel free to join for either. Just e-mail justin@locallifetacoma.org to let them know you’re coming to one or both so they can be prepped.

Lance Kagey Interview

While we’re on the topic of art, we were browsing the Spaceworks blog, and came across a fun little interview with Lance Kagey of Beautiful Angle, discussing, among other things, his installation in the Woolworth’s building window. The installation is meant to replicate the aesthetic of his studio; he calls it “literally a window into my personality.” He also gives a hint at when the next edition of Rotator might make an appearance. It’s worth a read, especially if you’re a Lance Kagey fan, or just want to take a moment to feel good about Tacoma.

Read the interview at spaceworkstacoma.wordpress.com.

Photo courtesy of www.tacomaarts.wordpress.com.