Tacoma Museum/Art Gallery

Tacoma has many attractions to see, one of which is the Art Museum, located within walking distance of the Convention Center.
We were in Tacoma for the Association of Pacific West Quilters Convention and Quilt Show.
                                                               

As you come into the museum, this huge dog greets you with a winsome look.

Another display is a huge 'light well' with this curved floor and reflecting walls.

There was some of  Dale Chihuly's Art Glass. 

There is also the work of art glass makers from the Marioni Family, very intriguing and beautifully made..

Modern Art by Lucinda Parker

More exquisite glassware. The light and shadow is an impressive part of the display.

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Marie Watt Exhibition:
There is a fascinating gallery display focused on WOOL BLANKETS.
A large stack of old blankets is central, each has a tag attached with a story.

This stack is higher than I am!

There are art pieces made with blankets. Symbolism is around the protective nature of blankets.

An amazing installation is the Lodge made of wool felt and held up by interlaced wood strips. Once your shoes are removed, you walk into a space made with pieces of felted wool. Drum music and the calming voice of a storyteller invite you in. the space created inside the lodge is of welcome where stories are shared.
Marie Watt is the artist, she is a member of the Seneca Nation and lives in Portland. The show is called: Blankets, Stories and Communities. Her work explores human stories and the ritual implicit in everyday objects.

 Many hand prints are on the walls of the entry.
Lights mimic a glowing fire.  

Stalagmites and stalagtites are made with felt. Felt covered shapes allow you to sit and watch the storyteller who is projected on the wall.

The experience is captivating!

Outside the wool lodge, another view of the balls -  from several feet in diameter to small.
As you walk by the view continually changes what you see.

 In the outside world, there is a circular gathering place that encourages people to create... here a chalk drawing decorates the walkway.

The Art Museum is fairly small, but has interesting exhibits and a wonderful gift shop ... definitely worth a visit!

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TRIP HOME: Through Seattle

Tacoma is about 30 minutes south of Seattle on the I 5

Plane landing in Sea Tac Airport

The new high-rise office buildings in Seattle are dwarfing the Seattle Space Needle that was built in 1962  for the World Fair.

The Hwy system through the city has a network of overpasses and tunnels.

The photos on this trip are taken on my new Nikon IV. It is a lightweight camera with interchangeable lens. I'm impressed with the ability to take photos in dim light and the ease of using the telephoto.