HIDE/SEEK: Final Events Cap a Successful Run

If you’ve been meaning to get down to see HIDE/SEEK while it’s at the Tacoma Art Museum, but haven’t quite scratched that off your to-do list, you’ll want to get around to it soon, as the controversial, award-winning exhibit is in its final weeks in Tacoma.

The exhibition closes on Sunday, June 10. Some closing highlights for the exhibition along with some of the successes the museum has seen in relation to the exhibition.

Final Events

Glam Karaoke This Thursday, May 31, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Sing your heart out on our karaoke stage, have a drink from the bar, have your picture taken in The Telephone Room’s I Am…Photo Project, enjoy performances by local drag queens and kings, and see HIDE/SEEK before it’s gone! The evening will be hosted by Tacoma’s Drag Queen Sweetheart Vivian LeCher and local DJ Rick Beigh.
Cost: free with museum admission.

Co-curator David C. Ward Saturday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
David C. Ward, the Smithsonian historian and co-curator of HIDE/SEEK, provides a historical art overview of the works in the exhibition and his curatorial perspective and thoughts. A book signing of the exhibition catalogue will follow the lecture.
Cost: $15 ($10 for members, $5 for students). Includes museum admission.

Late Night Thursday Thursday, June 7, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Explore HIDE/SEEK during the last week of the exhibition, enjoy a beer, wine, or snack from the cafe, and have your picture taken in The Telephone Room’s I Am…Photo Project.

As the only West Coast venue for the much-talked about collection, it was a big deal for the exhibit to come to town, and TAM has certainly made the most of it.

Success of HIDE/SEEK
• HIDE/SEEK has brought in a 30% increase of visitors through Tacoma Art Museum’s doors this year.
• The museum extended its hours on Thursdays (open until 8 pm) to allow for greater accessibility for working individuals and long distance travelers. This resulted in doubling attendance on those days and creating new community partners.
o The success of Late Night Thursdays has justified the need to stay open every Thursday going forward.
• More Tacoma Art Museum members are coming through the door (about 20% more).
• Largest opening party in Tacoma Art Museum history.
• More thoughtful and engaging programs and lectures than any other recent exhibition at the museum, including a “fishbowl” discussion with local religious leaders about some of the topics raised in HIDE/SEEK.
• HIDE/SEEK won the International Association of Art Critics award for “Best Thematic Museum Show Nationally.”
• The exhibition has been nominated for Alice Awards by the Artistic Landmarks in Contemporary Experience.