The 253 Collective is an artist cooperative located in downtown Tacoma - right across from The Swiss in the Jet/Tioga building. The co-op‘s space is small, but features pieces that range across many media. I sat down with member Megan Kilen to check out what's new and happening with the 11 artists represented - half of whom have been assimilated in the last five months. Resistance is futile.

"The 253 Collective is an artists' cooperative, which means that as members we share the responsibility for running and administrating our retail space," says Kilen. "We all display artwork for sale, work a shift and help with tasks such as marketing, e-mails, window displays and sales."

While the 253 Collective started with a pretty solid group of artists in the last five months a number of older members have left to pursue other artistic worlds and new artists have been welcomed into the hive.

"For someone who may have been here last summer, they're going to see something completely different if they come in now because we have so many new artists," Kilen says.

The newest member is Alisa Rasmussen, potter and ceramic artist extraordinaire who also does small oil and acrylic paintings. Other new members include Kilen herself, who is an acrylic, watercolor and mixed-media artist; photographer Roxy Murray; gothic artist and jewelry maker Izabella Blue; found-object artist Suni Cook; acrylic painter Toni Snyder; and surrealist landscape painter John Wise.

"Because we have so many different artists and mediums you can find pottery, oils, acrylics, watercolors, calligraphy, jewelry, collage, photography, found art  and textiles all handmade by local artists," adds Kilen. "With new artists, comes a new perspective."

The hours for the 253 Collective are somewhat limited, but it is open every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and is staffed by the artists. The space is also open on select Fridays and Sundays - the hours are generally posted on their website. But if you just can't make it in during their hours, the building is open during business hours. The 253 Collective is just inside the front door (it has windows so you can see in), and artwork fills the lobby and hallway. Each month, the Collective features one artist and this artist gets to design the lobby space, so it is always changing.

"We are looking into expanding our hours for spring and summer, focusing on weekday evenings to make it easier for people to stop by," says Kilen. "And, as the weather improves, we'd like to have some sidewalk sales and painting sessions."  

Additionally, the 253 Collective is open for Third Thursdays (when you can get your museum fix for free in downtown Tacoma) and Artwalk Sundays. Other possible upcoming events include getting a booth at the Tacoma farmer's markets, where they may do artwork on site as well as bring along select pieces to show and sell. But you'll just have to stay tuned as many of these projects are in the works.

Beyond this Borg collective, the artists can be found elsewhere. Roxy Murray has work at Sanford & Sons, Jim Oliver will be at the Tahoma Center Gallery through April 27 and Izabella Blue has a store in Aberdeen selling vintage clothing and accessories. Suni Cook is heading up an Indoor Artist Market event at Studio 6 on Sixth Avenue starting April 17 and running select dates through the summer.

253 Collective and Retail Showroom

1901 S. Jefferson, Suite 100, Tacoma
www.253collective.com