FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 4, 2006
MEDIA CONTACTS
Roxanne Murphy, Community Relations, roxanne.murphy@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Amy McBride, Community and Economic Development, amcbride@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5192
The 6th Avenue Business District, Barefoot Studios, and the artist team of Laura and Matt Eklund have been selected to receive the 2006 AMOCAT (Tacoma spelled backwards) Arts Awards. These honors are awarded by the Tacoma Arts Commission in three categories: Arts Patron, Arts Outreach and Artist.
The AMOCATS will be awarded during the fifth anniversary celebration of Art at Work month from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Tacoma Art Museum. The evening’s programming will feature live music by the Kareem Kandi Band, hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to view the museum’s galleries. This event is free and open to the public.
The AMOCAT Arts Patron Award goes to the 6th Avenue Business District, which has been active in creating a more vibrant and pedestrian friendly 6th Avenue, guided by the belief that public art brings people into a neighborhood and increases livability and economic vitality.
The AMOCAT Arts Outreach Award goes to Barefoot Studios for their exemplary service to the community by expanding the presence of interdisciplinary contemporary dance and fringe theater to Tacoma, providing dance instruction and art exhibits in their colorful Dome District building and producing original performances that extend into the public spaces of Tacoma.
The AMOCAT Artist Award goes to Laura and Matt Eklund for their work within the past year producing a multitude of art happenings and festivals, raising visibility of the arts and providing opportunities for art participation. In addition to creating their own work, they have organized new and exciting festivals including the second annual Urban Art Festival, a masquerade bash on New Years Eve and two Art in the Park "Under the Trees" festivals at Wright Park.
Award nominations were made by the Tacoma Arts Commission and recipients were selected by a panel of community members.
For more information regarding activities during Art At Work Month in November, please visit www.tacomaculture.org.
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