About PARC
Public Art Reaching Community (PARC) is part of Parks Tacoma’s 1% for the Arts commitment, funded by a portion of the 2014 capital bond. PARC has created an opportunity for Tacoma-area artists to gain skills in public art and engagement while creating artwork for their community on a neighborhood scale.
Under the direction of lead mentor artist Elisheba Johnson, 12 Pierce County artists participated in the program, learning how to develop artwork for the public realm through a combination of online classes, presentations, and mentorship sessions led by experts in the field of public art.
The final component of the training program was to create a public artwork for temporary installation at a Tacoma site. The artists were tasked with developing project proposals on the theme of “Long Distance,” exploring what it means to connect while maintaining a pandemic-safe physical distance. Their projects were responses to the question: “What does it mean to connect with people through long distance?”
The artists launched their temporary projects throughout late 2020 and into 2021, both in Tacoma neighborhoods and virtually. The physical installations were up for about two weeks, though with pandemic related challenges, the time frame varied significantly by artist and project, and their specific circumstances.
A virtual celebration was held on January 13, 2021 at 12-1 pm with artists talking about their work. Attendees heard from Sophia Munic about I Am Here for You and Monica YoRam Yi about Meott Magazine.
Artists from this training course are now eligible to compete for four permanent Parks Tacoma public art commissions. The first of the four projects was awarded to Paige Pettibon following a competitive RFQ and interview process. Her project at Browns Point Playfield is set to be completed by June 2025. The remaining three project artists will be determined in the 2025-2026 biennium and will be announced via Calls to Artists released on the Parks Tacoma website and through various additional channels.
Final Projects
Transcendence
by Trenton Quiocho
An opportunity for the community to grieve together in a visual form. The artist created wood cylinders, slightly taller than an average person, with design cutouts that were lit from within by solar powered LED lights. The artwork was displayed at South Park, though the installed was removed before the full two-week display period was completed due to vandalism concerns.
Meott Magazine
by Monica YoRam Yi
Meott Magazine featuring submissions from Koreans living in the US. Content was solicited from the community, any form of media that can be translated for print; including both Korean and English text. The artist printed 500 copies of the magazine and distributed for free in accessible community locations including grocery stores, pharmacies, South Tacoma Way, churches, and hiking spots.
Banners of Heroes
by Adika Bell
A series of banners highlighted and honored people going above and beyond in making a positive impact in Tacoma. Pop-art style images were printed on 24″ x 30″ vinyl banners, with a bio sheet under each banner to identify the individual and their contributions. Banners were installed on light poles at park sites around town, including Wright Park and Wapato Park.
I Love All of You
by Gerardo Peña, AKA Periko the Artist
September 10-30, 2020
First United Methodist Church, 621 Tacoma Avenue S
A giant paper-mâché megaphone announced to the community “I LOVE ALL OF YOU”, written in LED lights. The installation could be seen on the roof of the First United Methodist Church from September 10-30. “It has been a tough year of divisiveness and isolation and I just wanted to spread a little love,” said Peña. “Sometimes I feel like I want to scream on a rooftop and why not make it something positive.”
You’ll Heal Tacoma
by Jessica Spring
September 12-20, 2020
Stanley Playfield, 1712 S 17th St
With a nod to the “You’ll Like Tacoma” signage featured at the 1909 Alaska Yukon Exposition, You’ll Heal Tacoma was made up of nearly 300 posters with said message, that were rolled up to collectively spell the healing message in four-foot letters. Nearly 25 feet long, “You’ll Heal Tacoma” was installed along South 19th Street at Stanley Playfield. Tacomans were encouraged to remove one letterpress printed poster to take home, then replace it with their own message of healing. Paper and writing tools were provided on-site, however, viewers were welcome to bring their own paper and markers too. “You’ll Heal Tacoma” was literally a sign for our pandemic times. Both an urgent call to action and a future prediction. While the historic Tacoma sign was powered with electric bulbs, this version glows with hope and healing for our city,” said Spring.
I Am Here for You
by Sophia Munic
Online at www.sophiamunic.com
A short video compilation of people interacting with soft sculptures, crafted to represent ‘hugs’. You can watch the video at www.sophiamunic.com. “This project examines how our relationship to physical touch has changed during the pandemic, how we are soft with ourselves and others, and how we find comfort amidst how COVID-19 limits our ability to physically connect to others,” said Munic.
Plague Parade
By Gillian Nordlund
The artist worked with kids at Tacoma Day preschool to create a series of 12″ x 18″ flags. The group then participated in a small parade with the flags around the neighborhood, ensuring safety social distance guidelines were followed and inviting the neighbors to enjoy from their porches and front stoops. Mentor artist Elisheba Johnson coordinated an online session with the artist to discuss the project and review footage of the parade.
Wind Circle
By Teruko Nimura
Artwork exploring the theme of interconnection and connection during this pandemic. The artist created a multi-row, multi-column painted prayer flag installation that, when viewed from certain vantage points, creates a circle to signify interconnection and connection during this pandemic. The artist also created 50 prayer flag kits (set of 5 flags and fabric pens) for people to take and make at home. The installation was held at Wright Park, and was very well received by park patrons.
Utter Gutter
by Anida Yoeu Ali/Masahiro Sugano
A performance art piece which allows for an analog approach to connecting/talking with one another. Painted speaking tubes wrapped around a tree trunk would allow for conversation with people while maintaining physical distancing. One or two of these structures would be placed in Wright Park for a multi-hour period, with the artists facilitating interactions. The installation would be available for a week long period. Unfortunately, due to impacts of the pandemic, the artist was not able to complete the installation.
Final concept sketch. Unfortunately, the artist team got sick and were not able to install the artwork as planned, though they had completed materials testing, received approvals, and were ready to fabricate.
Generational Root Healing
by Priscilla Dobler Dzul
Generational Root Healing is a work focused on beautifying roundabouts at spots throughout the city. The project is also about giving back to the land the native plants that have been taken from it. The artist hosted sessions to teach kids how to make clay sculptures and native “seed bombs.” (A seed bomb is a bundle of wildflower or other seeds wrapped in soil materials, usually a mixture of clay and compost, and then dried. They are left in garden patches to grow and don’t need cultivation.) Kids could make two items: a seed bomb for the roundabout, and a colorful clay sculpture to take home. The artist also cleared and planted the round about at S. 60th and Tyler between Manitou Park and STAR Center, and planted a corner at Oakland Madrona Park with culturally significant plants.
On the Fence: the study of emotion
by Rahman Curtis Barika “Komie”
Five very colorful painted wood cutouts of highly stylized faces showing various emotions. The artist planned to display them along a fence at a park location. Unfortunately, due to impacts of the pandemic, the artist was not able to complete the installation.
Untitled
by Paige D. Pettibon
Artist planned to create a 30-minute documentary film about one family’s experience about the cancellation of the 2020 Canoe Journey. The film would include Lushootseed language, art, story, songs, and culture. It would be available on YouTube and the artist’s website, and there would be a watch party hosted by mentor artist Elisheba Johnson. Unfortunately, due to impacts of the pandemic, the artist was not able to complete the project as planned.