ART AND COMMUNITY ACTION CONTINUES TODAY >>>
Tacoma's diversity, both in its people and in its creative talent, is showcased at this weekend's Urban Arts Festival. Now in its seventh year, this year the two-day summertime event is being held on the Thea Foss Waterway in a new(ish) park and walking area next to the Museum of Glass. A manicured lawn proved to be a perfect staging area for vendors, a beer garden and the main music stage.
With booths lined up facing boats bobbing in the inlet, vendors smiled and chatted with festival goers about their handmade art, crafts and wares. Bright red, green and yellow blooms and foliage spilled from hanging basket planters. Just as colorful was Jooley Heaps's brilliant red hair at her Box Top Vintage booth. Metalwork art gleamed in the sun from an uncovered booth and humorous prints peaked out from under canopies. I looked on as Ebony Morris, an Eastside Tacoma resident, became the proud owner of two-tone block-style creation. Festival organizer Johanna Gardner remarks that this is what it's all about.
UAF allows artists to show their works in an environment where people can see them, acquire them or even be part of them. With interactive art and dance being a focal point, like chalk-art graced sidewalks, Gardner is definitely right. Walking through I felt the pleasant, lazy vibe of attendees; they matched my slow stroll. The distinct vocal stylings of Kim Archer summoned me to the main stage. To the right, a skateboard course, DJ area with plenty of lawn for dancing and John Spevak's sausage booth flooding the air with delicious meaty aromas.
Umber Sleeping frontman and drummer Peter Tietjen wrangled his kids while hawking punk buttons. "It's a great location this year. I think tomorrow will be even better. And man, great weather," Tietjen comments. He smiles and gestures skyward where a few fluffy white clouds only made the sun feel even brighter.
Urban Arts festival runs through Sunday, June 26 at 9 p.m.