JENNIFER JOHNSON: ARTIFAKT TO CONSUME THE ROBERT DANIEL GALLERY >>>

Seattle-based arts group and clothing design cooperative Artifakt was born two and a half years ago. Co-founder Jake Wagoner found a kindred spirit in Matt Eklund, musician, artist and entertainment promoter, recently naming him Artifakt’s Tacoma creative director.

“We throw art parties,” says Eklund with a smile in his voice.

Tonight marks Artifakt’s inaugural event at The Robert Daniel Gallery.

“We’re showing artists that haven’t shown a whole lot in Tacoma, including Blaine Fontana from Oregon,” Eklund elaborates.

This multi-genre spanning art party features nine unique artists with styles that exhibit elements of the fantastical â€" cartoon dragon, snowy robot, howler monkey, purple hand-signs, deep-sea diver, antler-wearing man â€" and a well-captured animated sense of movement.

Aural aspects will be headed up by Seattle’s DJ Eva, Tacoma’s own DJ Spice and Flat Black.

[The Robert Daniel Gallery, Artifakt Multi Genre Art Party with Eva, Dizzy Dave, DJ Hanibal, Flat Black, Spice, Friday, May 29, 8 p.m., $5, $7 after 11 p.m., 2501 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.297.3869]

Photo: Blaine Fontana's The Last Koi Chapter #