Jun. 16, 2008 at 12:05am

Tacoma City Arts Mag Covers Chalkings w Erik Hanberg

Erik Emery Hanberg Deployed to
Cover Frost Park Chalk Off

I am gradually warming up to the Tacoma City Arts Magazine, issue by issue.

For starters, I like that the Tacoma City Arts Magazine is not afraid to employ the word "Tacoma" in their title. 

Apparently, the editors believe that the word Tacoma will help them more than hurt them and are making a commitment, for better or worse, to attach to and identify with this 200,000 populated city with all its strengths and warts.  That's meaningful




(images from City Arts Magazine)

I learned from Ensie at Both Hands that a copy was available at Stadium Thriftway, the only known place in Tacoma that has copies.

The second reason that I like Tacoma City Arts Magazine is that they are trying to be relevant to arts people desire and enjoy in Tacoma rather what the art establishment wants them to enjoy.  A very challenging task.

Frost Park Chalk Off Coverage:

Frost Park Chalk Offs are now gearing up for the 11th Episode. 

There are hundreds of online pictures on the Chalk Off events, four videos, prominent coverage in the printed version of the News Tribune and their political blog and countless other blogs in the city.

Nevertheless, it is still nice to see the Chalk Offs gain some recognition in the central arts magazine in the city.  Better yet, Tacoma City Arts Magazine assigned independent theater proprietor Erik Hanberg of The Horatio Theater to the task.

He writes:

Sometimes the best events don't need "official" organizing to get started, they just happen.

          ...

"R.R. has a way of motivating you," explains Andrea Trenbeath Lowen, a jeweler covered with black smudges when interviewed.  Two sidewalk squares away, illustrator James Stowe's blue jeans have turned pink with chalk dust.

...

A single hour of communal creativity every week has transformed Frost Park into a place you want to go.

The Urbanist is also mentioned.   Also in the article is a great picture of Laura Hanan chalking.  Pick up a copy and read the whole article.

Cross referencing the article with the Frost Park Scoreboard, Hanberg looks to be reporting about Episode IV on May 2, 2008 when the event was just getting off of the ground.

Frost Park is a great many things to many people.

For the Tacoma City Arts Magazine, it was a test of relevance to the art and entertainment that is meaningful to Tacomans.

Here's what it came down to

Would the Tacoma City Arts Magazine recognize a grass roots artistic event that was not a recipient of any arts grant or part of any traditional art institution and which had purchased no advertising?

Fortunately, the answer was yes.