Tacoma Art Museum Announces New Western American Art Exhibition, Featuring Over 70 Works

The Tacoma Art Museum announces a new exhibition, Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots, May 10, 2014 through Fall 2015.

What characterizes the Northwest's distinct cultural and artistic identity? How has that identity been shaped by the broader story of the American West? Tacoma Art Museum delves into these questions through Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots. This exhibition looks at how the complex and ever-evolving character of the West has shaped, and continues to inspire, regional artistic responses.

Featuring approximately 70 works in all media drawn from the museum's collection,Northwest in the West provides a visual framework for discussing themes such as the significance of the land, cultural and environmental impacts, movement and restlessness, our regional identity, and the psychological constructs involved in our complicated relationship with our place in the West. The exhibition also includes a sneak peek at two works from the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art. This exhibition views the West from the Northwest and inspires visitors to make connections. The artwork will change from time to time, reflecting different themes and sparking fresh discussions.

The Northwest contributed significantly to the early dramatic story of the West: the lure of its lush landscapes and abundant resources; the new life it symbolized as the Eden at the endpoint of every migrant trail; and as the last piece of the puzzle that tied the United States together from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The definitions of "West" and "Northwest" shifted dramatically as westward expansion stretched geographic boundaries through the Plains states, into the Southwest, across the Rocky Mountains, and over the Cascades. Today, the 12 states defined as the western region encompass a wide variety of landscapes and lifestyles that share a history shaped by exploration, immigration, displacement, settlement, tradition, resources extraction, and rapid change, all of which has influenced artistic expressions in the West and Northwest.

The gift of the Haub Family Collection enables Tacoma Art Museum to continue to explore the relationship of Northwest regional art to the broader context of art of the American West. Northwest in the West is the first of many opportunities to look at this complex interweaving of influences and how the Northwest's artists have adopted, adapted, or reacted against them.

Related Programs and Events

Lunch & Learn with Artist Marita Dingus
Wednesday, October 1, 11 am
Enjoy your lunch while learning about the exciting work of artist Marita Dingus! Dingus will discuss her African American heritage and how it inspires her artwork. She'll talk about the use of found materials in her art. View her work in the exhibition Northwest in the West: Exploring our Roots. A question and answer session will follow her talk. Cost: Free with museum admission.

Found Object Workshop with Artist Marita Dingus
Saturday, November 22, 11 am
Artist and instructor Marita Dingus will lead participants in art making using found objects. Be more green in your approach and challenge yourself in fun ways by using found objects. Tacoma Art Museum will provide a limited amount found objects, but participants are encouraged to bring their own found objects. Cost: $30 ($20 member, student) Tickets

Organized by Tacoma Art Museum. Generous support provided by Propel Insurance

Image: Thomas Haukaas, More Time Expected, 2002. Hand-made ink and pencil on antique ledger paper, 16½ x 27½ inches. Tacoma Art Museum, Gift of Greg Kucera and Larry Yocom in honor of Rock Hushka

To learn more about the programs contact Education@TacomaArtMuseum.org or 253.722.2455.