WORKED SPACEWORKS >>>

As the recession takes its toll on retailing, empty storefront windows throughout the downtown Tacoma area are turning into "artscapes," the result of an opportune alignment of interests among artists, landlords, city of Tacoma, Seattle-based arts non-profit Shunpike and the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce. Spaceworks Tacoma is an art project whose goal is to fill empty downtown storefronts with art from local artists. Not only will the program provide local artists with an accessible venue for their works, but it will also benefit property owners by drawing attention to available buildings and spaces and adding a much more vibrant appeal to these otherwise unoccupied facades.

The programmed kicked off Thursday evening with a block party at Ninth and Broadway featuring a beer garden, spoken word, film, live music and walking tours of the 17 storefronts, which also include the Woolworth Windows that has been donated by Tacoma Contemporary for the Spaceworks project. Tacoma Arts Commission Wizard Amy McBride led the tours, filling our heads with Tacoma history, Spaceworks background, and artist bios while sterring us clear of the black T-shirt wearing smokers outside Hell's Kitchen. I enjoyed the tour, and even more impressed with the quality of artwork in the storefronts.

The 19 artist participating in Spaceworks include: filmmaker Isaac Olsen (Quiet Shoes) and photographer Joshua Everson holed up in a massive two-story space (1114 Pacific Ave.) incorporating bank vaults, a spiral staircase and groovy ‘70s-ish lighting into their projects; Tiffanie Peters' store Chiffon (915 Pacific Ave.)  featuring vintage handbags and clothes plus jewelry that works also as artwork on the crazy painted walls; Shakespeare in the Parking Lot and director Kristie Worthey parked at the 913 Pacific Ave. space to prepare for Titus Andronicus; artist Jennifer Adams (Tacoma is For Lovers) loving the 904 Broadway space for her indie craft boutique Fly; Eric Holdener, Scott McGee and Bill Fleming rode their kinetic inventions (part of Zeit-Bike 2010 at the Tacoma Art Museum) into the Woolworth Windows spot at 11^th and Commerce.

Here are a few snapshots I took on my crappy camera while on the first tour Thursday night.

For more information on Spaceworks, the participating artists and storefront locations, click here.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot