Tollefson Plaza
The plaza in 2023
The plaza in 2023
LocationTacoma, Washington, U.S.
Tollefson Plaza is located in Washington (state)
Tollefson Plaza
Tollefson Plaza
Coordinates: 47°14′52″N 122°26′16″W / 47.24778°N 122.43778°W / 47.24778; -122.43778

Tollefson Plaza is a plaza in Tacoma, Washington.

Description

Shaun Peterson's sculpture Welcome Figure was installed in the plaza in September 2010.[1] The 24-foot tall cedar artwork depicts a standing Salish woman with her arms outstretched, welcoming others.[2] Isaac Peterson of 1899 magazine said, "The carving's simple geometry is refreshing, a true masterpiece of native woodcarving at the center of town instead of the usual elegiac bronze."[3]

The plaza has a Black Lives Matter mural; Dionne Bonner was lead artist of the project,[4][5][6] which received financial support from the city and the Tacoma Art Museum.[7] Installed in August 2022, the mural has been described as the Tacoma's first to commemorate the movement.[8]

History

Tollefson Plaza has hosted demonstrations and other events, and was used as a film site for stunt driving in 2015.[9] In 2020, the winter light art festival Tacoma Light Trail brought an interactive exhibit,[10] musicians, poets, and other performers to the plaza.[11] 2022 saw a Juneteenth celebration and an "anti-transgender" rally, which drew counterprotestors.[12][13][14]

The plaza has also hosted food trucks and an ice rink during the holiday season.[15][16][17]

References

  1. ↑ "Shaun Peterson's "Welcome Figure" Restoration Project". Tacoma Art Museum. 2021-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  2. ↑ Bunn-Marcuse, Kathryn (2013-05-24). "Seattle's Native American art reconnects with Salish tribes' traditions". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  3. ↑ "Washington Trip Planner: Tacoma". 1859 Oregon's Magazine. 2017-12-14. Archived from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  4. ↑ "BLM Mural Coming Soon to Tollefson Plaza". Tacoma Weekly. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  5. ↑ "Black Lives Matter mural coming to Tacoma's Tollefson ..." The News Tribune. July 15, 2022.
  6. ↑ Gallup, Lauren (2022-10-13). "Tacoma unveils Black Lives Matter mural". Northwest Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  7. ↑ "Tacoma just pledged $10K for a Black Lives Matter mural downtown. It's money well spent". The News Tribune. July 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ "University of Puget Sound student advocates for Black voices | University of Puget Sound". www.pugetsound.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  9. ↑ "Stunt driving, filming takes over downtown Tacoma". The News Tribune. September 28, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Tacoma Light Trail brings people together to brighten up the new year". KNKX Public Radio. 2021-12-30. Archived from the original on 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  11. ↑ "Tacoma Light Trail Shines Again". SouthSoundMag.com. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  12. ↑ "City of Tacoma to hold Juneteenth celebration at Tollefson Plaza on Wednesday". The News Tribune. June 11, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Message from city of Tacoma's Juneteenth commemoration: 'Carry what you heard today'". The News Tribune. June 16, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Pepper spray, shouting as people clash at anti-transgender rally in Tacoma on Wednesday". The News Tribunes. October 28, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Summer food trucks to park at Tollefson Plaza in Tacoma". The News Tribune. May 9, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Ice rink moving from downtown Tacoma to Point Ruston. This could be its last season". The News Tribune. September 20, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Tacoma will move ice rink location". Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
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