Attendees Interact with Art in Tacoma

For the tenth year, Tacoma once again featured the artwork of their employees and their family members. Naomi Strom-Avila, who has run the program from the beginning, was presented with a Tenth Anniversary Award by Jackie Szafara, Executive Director, who made the cross country trip to Tacoma for the reception. City Manager Marty Campbell and Assistant Manager Mark Lauzier both attended the event and spoke on the popularity and relevance of the show for the employees and their family members. 

The reception was held at the Broadway Center, an old theatre and a great backdrop for the awards presentation. All the winning pieces were brought to the theatre for the reception so attendees could interact with the winners and their artwork after the ceremony. The Best of Show winner was an amazing small, intricate, clay vessel with the story of Little Red Riding Hood carved and sculpted around the outside.  The piece, pictured, was made by Carrie Carriveau, a Public Library employee.

Our new Art Education award went to teen Ella Robinson. The judges mentioned the challenge in presenting this award as they felt many artists deserved the opportunity to receive $200 towards taking an art class. Ultimately, the judges chose Ella’s work, who also won First Place in the Teen 13-18 category. 

By filling the hallways of the Tacoma Municipal Building and Public Utilities Building, employees get a chance to see their peers and family member’s artwork as they go from floor to floor during the course of their business day. The show remains hanging for three weeks, plenty of time to see the artwork if you are in the area.