Celebrate Summer With the Tacoma Art Museum and the Tacoma Arts Commission at ‘Pop-Up Art Putt!’

Tacoma, Wash. – The U.S Open is right around the corner, and Tacoma is ready to welcome it with local flair. To celebrate this historic event, the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) and the Tacoma Arts Commission – with support from the National Endowment for the Arts – are collaborating with local artists to create “Pop-Up Art Putt!”, a free public mini-golf course.  

The course is open from 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, through 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 21. Pop-Up Art Putt! includes 10 miniature golf holes designed by Tacoma artists. Each hole is built around a theme, ranging from the comic and playful to those that showcase our city’s unique landmarks. Participating lead artists include Jori Adkins, Sean Alexander, Gabriel Brown, Oliver Doriss, Christopher Hoppin, Nori Kimura, Jillian Nintze, Chris Sharp, Shayne Weeks and Taylor Woodruff, each working with a team to design, build, and install the sculptural golf holes.

"We are excited to work with our talented local artists to celebrate the U.S. Open, provide fun activities for our citizens and activate the next phase of the Prairie Line Trail," said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride. 

The next phase of the pedestrian and bike trail will transform the stretch connecting Pacific Avenue, running alongside the TAM and down to the waterfront. The mini-golf course will span the Prairie Line Trail along Hood Street between South 15th Street and South 17th Street, Tollefson Plaza, and TAM's Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Plaza.

The kick-off party celebrating this new downtown event is at the TAM on Third Thursday, June 18, from 5 – 8 p.m., a free evening. It will feature music by DJ Midnight Mike and local band The Cloves. Food trucks will be parked near the course, and a beer garden will be available to those 21 and over. Visitors will also have a chance to meet local Tacoma artists and vote for their favorite mini-golf hole. The artist with the most votes will win a People’s Choice Award and $500. On closing day, June 21, community members can play a round of golf and participate in the TAM’s Summer Solstice Sculpture Festival, with free museum admission. 

"Partnering with the creative Tacoma artists and the City of Tacoma, we're delighted to bring this playful activity to the public in celebration of the U.S. Open coming to town," said TAM Executive Director Stephanie Stebich. “As a golfer, I can't wait to play."

Pop-Up Art Putt! Hours are Thursday, June 18, from 5– 8 p.m.; Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clubs and balls can be checked out at the TAM. 

For more information, visit TacomaArtMuseum.org/golf.