Tacoma Celebrates the Arts During Art on the Ave

art on the ave
Pierce County residents flock to 6th Ave in Tacoma for the annual summer bash, Art on the Ave. Photo credit: Erin Kobberstad.

 

By Margo Greenman

oly orthoThe twang of a guitar echoes across a captivated crowd. Authentic Indian fare sizzles on an outdoor grill. Graffiti artists marvel passersby as they skillfully spin their cans, spraying works of art across a blank canvas. The clinking of glass rings out at a nearby beer garden. And, just down the street, children are laughing as they take a ride on the carousel. Does this sound familiar? If it does, it’s because you’ve experienced the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Art on the Ave.

Every year, shortly after the start of summer, Tacoma, Wash.’s, popular 6th Avenue fills with feet, art, food, entertainment and more during Pierce County’s largest free art festival, Art on the Ave.

art on the ave
Jazzbones Stage will be the focus for much of the Art on the Ave celebration. Photo credit: Daniel Rankin.

Presented by the 6th Avenue Business District, Art on the Ave is a family-friendly street fair that draws in crowds near and far for a day of art-centric, summer fun. Now in its 16th year, Art on the Ave has become a highly anticipated annual event recognized for bringing the community together with the local businesses, artists, entertainers and others who make 6th Avenue and the surrounding area thrive.

So what’s in store for this year? Singing, songwriting, graphic designing, Duchess of Downtown-founding Art on the Ave organizer Angela Jossy says 2014 will bring the return of festival favorites from year’s past, along with a few new attractions for 2014.

Several outdoor stages will provide free, live entertainment (performers TBA), while large, outdoor art installations will stand tall for festivalgoers to gaze upon as they make their way across the festival. Large art installations include hand-made giant puzzles created by Jossy, as well as a “paint pour” by Eileen Newton, and an “interactive mural project” from the Children’s Museum of Tacoma.

Lining the street will be more than 100 vendors serving up art, food and more for people to peruse, purchase and devour, while local businesses open their doors to unveil special events, sales and more in honor of the event.

art on the ave
Pierce County residents flock to 6th Ave in Tacoma for the annual summer bash, Art on the Ave. Photo credit: Erin Kobberstad.

Foodies will love the Grub Crawl, which features $6 “portable” food items from more than 10 6th Avenue-based restaurants, including Gateway to India, Legendary Doughnuts, Asado Cucina Argentina, Ice Cream Social and more. After filling up on food, adults will enjoy quenching their thirst at one of the many beer gardens located throughout the festival, or by sipping suds at the Craft Beer Tasting Lounge, new for 2014. In addition to the food, art and live entertainment, kids and adults of all ages can get their thrill on one of the many carnival rides featured at Jason Lee Baseball Field. Carnival rides include a cyclone swing, 24-foot climbing wall, and a giant dual-lane slide, just to name a few.

Like the Tasting Lounge, other new attractions this year include the Cirque du Tacoma Carnival and Jossy’s giant puzzles. “Last year the giant Tacomapoly game I invented was a big hit. I wanted to do something different this year. I hope they like my puzzles just as much,” says Jossy.

While there is a lot to see and do during Art on the Ave, Jossy says what she most looks forward to is seeing the community come together. “I’m looking forward to seeing the crowds come back again this year. When you’re at Art on the Ave you get the feeling that all of Tacoma’s most creative people are all in one place. I love that,” says Jossy.

A day devoted to Tacoma’s artistic community, this year’s Art on the Ave event takes place on Sunday, July 13, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The event will be held between Cedar Street and Trafton Street on 6th Avenue. Parking can be found in nearby neighborhoods, but is limited. Festivalgoers can save the stress of parking and enjoy the weather by leaving their cars at home and traveling by bike, foot or bus. Admission to the event is free and everyone is encouraged to take part in the fun.

For more information about this year’s Art on the Ave event, visit Art on the Ave’s website here, or follow Art on the Ave on Facebook page for all the latest updates, news and and more. You can also download the free Art on the Ave “Guidebook” app on your smartphone by searching “Art on the Ave” in your phone’s app store.