Art and Art Galleries

closeup of dirty paintbrushes

Tacoma has an amazing array of artworks ranging from contemporary art to traditional fine art, glass art, prints, paintings, sculpture, fine art photography and other types of visual art. If you’re interested in collecting art, or just enjoy looking at fine art, or looking for a gift, visit any or all of the wonderful galleries in Tacoma.

  • American Art Company
  • Art BUS
  • The Blue Octopus
  • The Art Stop
  • Creative Forces Gifts and Sundries
  • Fulcrum Gallery
  • Moss + Mineral
  • Spaceworks Tacoma
  • Tacoma Community College Gallery
  • Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
  • Tacoma Metal Arts Center
  • Picture Tacoma / The Artists’ Postcard Project
  • Throwing Mud Gallery
  • Tinkertopia

Also, every third Thursday Tacoma hosts Thursday Art Walk Tacoma, where galleries and art museums stay open until 8pm and usually have special events, like artist receptions and opening previews. Museums are free late afternoon and in the evening till 8pm.

You might also be interested in the Tacoma Art Museum and the Chiluly Glass Museum that are both outstanding.  The Tacoma Art Museum offers a senior discount year round.  The Chiluly Glass Museum

Metro Parks Tacoma offers a program called Play, learn and grow at multiple Tacoma locations all year long. Youth and adult classes include pottery, glass studio, painting, drawing, music, cooking, ballroom dance, belly dance, theater and much more!  Moreover, Metro Arts gallery spaces within Metro Parks Tacoma facilities allow greater accessibility to viewing of public art. All of the gallery spaces are free of charge and open to the public within each facility’s hours of operation.

Just five minutes from Franke Tobey Jones is the Proctor District which hosts the annual Proctor Arts Fest.  This is a community-based street fair that attracts approximately 10,000 visitors from Tacoma, Pierce and Thurston Counties and 160 art and crafts vendors every year. In addition to the vendors, it features a Juried Art Show of about 85 art pieces by 60 artists, three stages of live music and entertainment, a kids area with participation by the Metropolitan Park District, a Farmers’ Market and a merchant sidewalk sale.

Franke Tobey Jones hosts a Senior Art Show every other year for those age 55 and better.  This is a juried art show for seniors throughout Washington State and attracts an incredible collection of wonderful art work.

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