A finished painting tells you something about its artist. Seeing where it was made—and having the artist there to explain it—can tell you considerably more. On October 17 and 18, the Tacoma Studio Tour will open more than 80 locations featuring over 120 artists, giving visitors a chance to explore creative spaces throughout the city. The free, self-guided event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days as part of Tacoma Arts Month’s 25th anniversary.
The stops include working studios, home workspaces, and shared creative spaces, so the experience can change considerably from one doorway to the next. Organizers say every studio will offer a demonstration or hands-on activity. Visitors can ask questions, watch part of the creative process, and purchase work directly from the people who made it. The tour is family-friendly, and you can build an afternoon around whichever artists or neighborhoods interest you.
The variety extends well beyond painting. Phi Pottery has announced its participation, while the Tacoma Weavers Guild will welcome visitors for fiber-art demonstrations and hands-on activities on Saturday, October 17. The guild’s stop is in the basement of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 7410 S. 12th St. Book artist Mark Hoppmann is also participating, bringing another dimension to a tour that includes painters, sculptors, printmakers, and other makers.
One stop offers a chance to leave something of your own behind. Painter and poet Nakanée Fernandez, who runs Moon Spice Studios, will share a pop-up space with other artists at 827 N. Tacoma Ave. According to an October 2 Weekly Volcano profile, she plans to invite visitors to contribute to a community painting. A typewriter will also be available for people to write something that can later become part of a visual artwork.
Tacoma Art Museum will host illustrator and sewist Vaquero Azul in TAM Studio on Sunday, October 18. Azul’s work explores Trans Mexican Euforia and Mesoamerican joy, adding another distinct creative practice to the weekend. Together, these stops show why it helps to look beyond the word “studio”: the tour connects individual workrooms, group spaces, and institutions where artists can share both their work and their ideas.
The official interactive map lets visitors search by artist, filter by medium or day, and find locations nearby. Check individual listings when planning your route, since artists may participate on Saturday, Sunday, or both days. You don’t have to tackle the entire city to enjoy the weekend—start with a few stops that catch your eye and leave room for an unexpected discovery. Explore the Tacoma Studio Tour and plan your route here.
Discover more of Tacoma in today’s Tacoma Local Minute. Catch the rest of today’s local news, events, and updates in the full issue here.