The Man Behind Tacoma's Largest Resume

If you were downtown anywhere near 9th and Pacific in the last week or so, you may have recently noticed an innovative approach to self-marketing. Chalk artist Ben Davis was his own inspiration for his work at a recent Friday Frost Park sidewalk chalk creation.

We spoke with Davis this week to see how his job search is going, and to learn a little more about the man who posted Tacoma’s largest resume.

As you might have guessed from his unique approach to searching for a job, Ben Davis is a creative soul. Like many Tacomans, Ben is looking for work, but unlike most, he decided to apply his artistic avocation to the task. Call it Tacoma’s largest resume. Like any good CV, Ben’s chalk art tells a concise story of a man who loves his customers and enjoys the fast pace and social nature of the restaurant industry. It’s clear in talking with Ben that he takes the relationship with his customers very seriously, treating them like guests in his own home whether he’s bar tending, serving, or practicing his culinary skills. (We understand his étouffée has a fan club).

But there’s more to Ben than just mixing drinks and serving food. Ben’s a local boy who came from Fife and, like us, relishes in the unique world of Tacoma. His true calling is his art. A student of the Seattle Institute of Art and self described art class junkie, Ben has maintained studio space in Tacoma for years. Currently he’s heavily involved in the semi-clandestined C.L.A.W., and has been a regular on Fridays down at Frost Park. He has also done the occasional commercial design work and studied oil painting for years.

If you see Ben, say “Hello.” He’s one the many great people that make Tacoma a fun place to live. If you have a customer service opening… you know how to reach him.