ARTS COVERAGE TO END ALL ARTS COVERAGE >>>

At this point it goes without saying. If you're looking for coverage of local arts in Tacoma, Olympia, and all points in between, the Weekly Volcano is THE place to find it. Our goal is to consistently provide the best local arts coverage possible to our fantastic readers -- always be on the lookout for ways to shine a light on all the awesome creativity we see around us.

Here's a look at the Volcano arts coverage waiting for you this week in print and online.

VISUAL EDGE: Vladimir Shakov & Chris Wooten at Sandpiper Gallery

(Silver gelatin print from the Drawing Room series by Vladimir Shakov Photo courtesy Sandpiper Gallery)

You get the feeling husband and wife artists Vladimir Shakov and Chris Wooten inspire and influence each other - even though their artworks have nothing in common. In their joint exhibition at Sandpiper Gallery, Shakov shows shimmering photos of nudes wrapped in semi-transparent fabrics complemented by Wooten's wire tree sculptures. - Alec Clayton

LOCAL MOVIE BIZ BUZZ: PACIFICA

The rendering of Pacifica's dismal world feels complete in only nine minutes, yet writer and first-time director Charles Chadwick doesn't rush the pacing. Facts and information reveal themselves quietly through ambience, music and dialogue. - Christopher Wood

FEATURE: 25 NEW FACES OF INDEPENDENT FILM

(ALMA HAR’EL: The LA-based filmmaker is one of this year’s 25 Faces)

When the Grand Cinema threw the first annual 25 New Faces of Independent Film Festival last year, it was a kind of palm-to-forehead moment - an idea that seemed so inspired and so obvious at the same time. The concept had been staring us in the face, and it finally materialized in Tacoma. - Rev. Adam McKinney

THE LION FEATURE: COFFEE AND ART

(Israel Hickey pictured at Metronome Coffee. Photo courtesy of Adam Monohon)

Recently I sat down with Israel Hickey, currently of Metronome Coffee and employed in the coffee scene for the last 10 years, and Adam Monohon, a local fine art photographer, to talk about where the world of art stands with the world of coffee.

As a town, Tacoma is an enigma - not quite big, but definitely not small. For artists it can be difficult to find strong venues. "I feel like in this town people are more likely to practice whatever art they have in a coffee shop setting," Hickey offers, saying Tacoma needs coffee shops to be a safe place to go for artists to display. He doesn't feel like Tacoma has reached that point yet. -- Alexander A. Youngblood

PLUS: More local theater coverage than you can shake a stick at

PLUS: Comprehensive Arts and Events Calendar

PLUS: Ferrets doing cute things