Adorned in glass and steel, this Antoine Predock masterpiece wraps around a beautiful garden. Inside, you'll find paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and other creations dating from the 18th century to the present. Look for the many glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly—especially the magnificent, flame-color Mille Fiori (Thousand Flowers) glass garden.
Seattle has its first Thursdays while Tacoma has its third Thursdays...a perfect time to visit TAM. Works from world class artists line the walls and gallery spaces right along side the best from the Pacific Northwest.
On any given visit the darlings of the international contemporary art world (think Warhol) hang in galleries adjacent to northwest masters of the past (think Graves) and they all get along swimmingly. The museum also hosts a lauded Biennial which celebrates emerging and mid-career artists of the region. A kids area, a nice gift shop, free admission each 3rd Thursday and an in house-cafe are a plus. Don't miss (well you can't really) Scott Fife's 'Puppy.'
Housed in a building designed by noted contemporary architect Antoine Predock, the Tacoma Art Museum may not have as big a reputation as the Seattle Art Museum, but it mounts some impressive shows. The building is filled with beautiful galleries in which to display both the museum's own collections and traveling exhibitions. The museum is best known for its large collection of art by native son...