Tollefson Plaza Explained
Tollefson Plaza |
Image Place: | Tacoma, Washington (May 2023) - 025 (cropped).jpg |
Image Caption: | The plaza in 2023 |
Location: | Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
Pushpin Map: | Washington |
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]
Notes and References
- Web site: 2021-08-25 . Shaun Peterson's "Welcome Figure" Restoration Project . 2023-05-28 . Tacoma Art Museum . en-US . 2023-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321104454/https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/tamblog-shaun-petersons-welcome-figure-restoration-project/ . live .
- News: Bunn-Marcuse . Kathryn . 2013-05-24 . Seattle's Native American art reconnects with Salish tribes' traditions . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-28 . 0261-3077 . 2023-05-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527023900/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/may/25/seattle-native-american-art-salish-tribes . live .
- Web site: 2017-12-14 . Washington Trip Planner: Tacoma . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326211320/https://1889mag.com/explore/trip-planners/washington-trip-planner-tacoma/ . 2023-03-26 . 2023-05-28 . . en-US.
- Web site: BLM Mural Coming Soon to Tollefson Plaza . 2023-05-28 . Tacoma Weekly.
- News: July 15, 2022 . Black Lives Matter mural coming to Tacoma's Tollefson ... . The News Tribune .
- Web site: Gallup . Lauren . 2022-10-13 . Tacoma unveils Black Lives Matter mural . 2023-05-28 . Northwest Public Broadcasting . en-US . 2023-03-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322184702/https://www.nwpb.org/2022/10/13/tacoma-unveils-black-lives-matter-mural/ . live .
- News: July 29, 2021 . Tacoma just pledged $10K for a Black Lives Matter mural downtown. It’s money well spent . The News Tribune.
- Web site: University of Puget Sound student advocates for Black voices University of Puget Sound . 2023-05-28 . www.pugetsound.edu . 2023-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329165617/https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/university-puget-sound-student-advocates-black-voices . live .
- News: September 28, 2015 . Stunt driving, filming takes over downtown Tacoma . The News Tribune.
- Web site: 2021-12-30 . Tacoma Light Trail brings people together to brighten up the new year . 2023-05-28 . KNKX Public Radio . en . 2023-01-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230113191633/https://www.knkx.org/south-sound/2021-12-30/tacoma-light-trail-brings-people-together-to-brighten-up-the-new-year . live .
- Web site: 2022-01-04 . Tacoma Light Trail Shines Again . 2023-05-28 . SouthSoundMag.com . en.
- News: June 11, 2022 . City of Tacoma to hold Juneteenth celebration at Tollefson Plaza on Wednesday . The News Tribune.
- News: June 16, 2022 . Message from city of Tacoma’s Juneteenth commemoration: ‘Carry what you heard today’ . The News Tribune.
- News: October 28, 2022 . Pepper spray, shouting as people clash at anti-transgender rally in Tacoma on Wednesday . The News Tribunes.
- News: May 9, 2022 . Summer food trucks to park at Tollefson Plaza in Tacoma . The News Tribune .
- News: September 20, 2017 . Ice rink moving from downtown Tacoma to Point Ruston. This could be its last season . The News Tribune.
- Web site: Tacoma will move ice rink location . 2023-05-28 . . en . 2019-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190320090324/https://www.djc.com/news/re/12104363.html . live .