July 20, 2017 marks another monthly opportunity for Tacoma to enjoy a wide range of artistic experiences, newest gallery exhibitions, and museum visits with free admission, all under beaming sunshine.

Along with a couple of intriguing events, this month’s third Thursday is also your last chance to visit current round of Spaceworks Artscapes murals and installations. So come out to enjoy an artful evening on July 20th.

New Exhibition Opening Reception

Immigration: Hopes Realized, Dreams Derailed

Join the artists and curators for the opening reception of the newest art show at the Spaceworks Gallery. Immigration: Hopes Realized, Dreams Derailed is a multimedia exhibition about immigration and detention. (read more about the exhibition: spaceworkstacoma.com/current-exhibit/)

Thursday, July 20th, 6-9 PM
Spaceworks Gallery
950 Pacific Ave. Suite 205 (Entrance on 11th St.),
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Free and open to the public

Respond on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1616503958361185

Listen to music, poetry, and stories, as well as immigrant rights leaders speaking about the essential contributions of immigrant workers and the oppressive conditions in the Tacoma’s North West Detention Center.

Work by Andrea Eaton: Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos, 2017, Screen Print/Mixed Media, $120. Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos was 14 when she left Acambaro and crossed the border to Nogales, Arizona in hopes of a better life. 21 years later, after 8 years of obediently meeting with ICE agents, and after a harsh 100 days under Trump, things changed. 8 years ago, Garcia de Rayos was the subject of a workplace raid, and subsequently was arrested for using a fake social security number thus being convicted of felony charges a year later. “After her conviction she appealed a court order to voluntarily deport and lost. She became the subject of a removal order in 2013 and was placed court-ordered supervision, which required her to report on a provided schedule to an ICE office until her order of removal was “affected,” or acted on.” With a felony charge under her belt, a long history in Phoenix of racial and ethnic profiling, and a tumultuous new immigration policy, Guadalupe went to her final ICE meeting only to find out she would not be returning to her family. Garcia de Rayos story is a classic immigrant tale, one that is overwhelmingly filled with love and hope, yet is turned into one a tale of stealing and pillaging by those privileged enough to never understand. And while Garcia de Rayos was offered sanctuary at a local church, she refused, she wanted others to understand the magnitude of such policies. She explained in an interview: “I don’t regret it, because I know I did this so that more families could see what’s in store, what could happen, and so that they could know what they could risk,Trump is not harming the adults and the parents who get deported, but it’s different for the children left behind in the United States. I am not what he says. I simply am a mother who fights for her children, who fights to give them the best.” I believe that Garcia de Rayos’ story is one of immense importance, especially in an age rampant with Islamophobia, racial biases, and outright bullying. With this in mind, I want to highlight her passion without overshadowing it. I in no way can claim this story as my own. I am a white upper middle class American who will never truly understand what this woman has gone through/continues to go through. But, I can use my privilege to speak her name and make sure she is remembered as the powerful and loving Latina that she is. Say her name, and remember it along with the many other immigrants who have battled so hard for a better life.

Works by Pam Orazem, Card Game, 2017, Pencil $250 & Geo Dream, 2017, Pencil, $250

Works by Arni Adler, Ushering In, 2017, Acrylic on board, $425 & The Welcome, 2017, Acrylic on canvas, $500

Work by Ricardo Gomez: Two Sides of the Wall, 2017, mixed media reused materials (wood labyrinth, saw, lego, mirror, tray), $1000

Curated by art critic Susan N. Platt and mural artist David Long, the exhibit addresses the urgent issue of immigration from multiple perspectives by presenting intense work by undocumented immigrants, former detainees, current detainees, DACAs (Delayed Action for Childhood arrivals), college students, grass roots activists, self- taught artists and professional artists.

Music

The New Avant-Garde

Destiny City Music Collective presents a collaborative performance of Tacoma musicians creating new sounds and musical textures synthesizing traditional music, modern technology, and sounds from the future. Come and listen to the performances in “The New Avant-Garde”

Thursday, July 20th, 7-10 PM
1120 Creative House (2nd Floor)
1120 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Free and open to the Public

Respond on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1410667935690986/

Performers include:

Ken Jacobsen (electric cello and guitar, electronics)
Jason Everett (6 string acoustic bass)
Jeffry Steele (classical guitar with electronic enhancements)
Nate Dybevik (piano)

In addition to the sounds you can experience the visuals by Kris Crews, open studios and artwork by residents of 1120 Creative House.

After party to follow with future beats by Ken.

Open Studio

Jason Sobottka

Artist Jason Sobottka will be hosting an open studio where the visitors can see some of his new work, work in progress, and a chance to obtain some of his past works.

“It’s time to let go of some of the older stuff,” said Sobottka. “You don’t really want to give stuff away for free, but I’m willing to consider any offer on a piece, if someone really likes it.” [Read more about his work in Tacoma Weekly article: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/citylife/article/sobottka-opens-studio-to-public-during-july-20-art-walk]

Thursday, July 20th, 7-10 PM
1120 Creative House (2nd Floor)
1120 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Free and open to the Public