10 Things I learned during Thursday's Art Bus tour

By Ron Swarner on September 18, 2011

NOT WALKING DURING THIRD THURSDAY ARTWALK >>>

Thursday, the Art Bus pushed off from the Tacoma Art Museum for another tour of Tacoma galleries, schools and businesses during the Third Thursday Artwalk. The guest tour guide was local author and Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. He led Art Bus patrons through exhibits at Embellish Multispace Salon, Handforth Gallery, Jazzbones, Tacoma Food Co-op, MLK Spaceworks, Fulcrum Gallery, Brick House and The Swiss. It was a younger, livelier crowd than normal occupying the bus seats, and Lindquist took advantages of the vibe dishing out jokes as if it was a comedy show. Good times. Here are 10 things I learned during the tour.

1. Thomas Duke, manager of Membership and Annual Giving at the Tacoma Art Museum, most likely increases membership because he's so cool. It's a common sight to see people follow him around the Museum, imitating his moves. You should join just to meet him. Duke also carries around an extra roll of duct tape for emergencies. Thanks Thomas for the help with the Volcano banner!

2. Hanging at Embellish Multi Space Salon is a timeline of hair fashion through the ages, created by artist Maureen McHugh. I had no idea the Bob cut hit the scene around the same time Germany invaded Poland.

3. The Puget Sound Sumi Artists celebrates its 25th anniversary with a retrospective of more than 70 paintings by 42 artists at the Handforth Gallery inside the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. My favorite is "Consequential Swipes" by Ellen Miffitt.

4. The staff at Tacoma Public Library Main Branch recommends books Tengo un Manny en Casa and Death of a Valentine.

5. Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist digs Art Chantry's posters at Fulcrum Gallery.

6. It's common knowledge Art Chantry is famous for a series of hand-set posters promoting rock shows in Seattle. His posters merged big type with astonishing art, often cut out of exploitation magazines. He also punched his time card four different times as the Rocket art director. One of his proudest accomplishments is having his artwork hung in one of the Louvre's bathroom.

7. This painting hangs upstairs at Jazzbones. It was a collaboration between Corey Green and James Allan Tucker. Apparently, Green doesn't take his talent seriously. He should.

8. Seventy-something artist Alex J. Moeller painted the murals gracing the Tacoma Food Co-op building. He's painted for the rich and famous. He also plays a mean jazz piano.

9. Although blurry, here's proof Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist is taller than Brick House Gallery owner Peter MacDonald.

10. Weekly Volcano columnist Josh Rizeberg's monthly hip-hop showcase Word 3rd Thurs should have good legs. The debut drew a good-size crowd.

LINK: Ride the Art Bus

LINK: More photos of the tour in the Photo Hot Spot