Visual Art Help the Helm
posted by on July 17 at 15:45 PM
It seems the Helm Gallery, which has been open and running on the steam and finances of a couple of dedicated artists alone, is now in need of some external support. Every single time a true contemporary art gallery opens in Tacoma, this happens: some very well-intentioned people become rapidly exhausted and have to abandon ship—unless somebody steps in.
So how about several dozen somebodies? The Helm doesn’t want money for nothing. It’s created a poster and is selling that poster for $50. The price is steep, sure, but supporting contemporary art in Tacoma costs money, and Seattleites should consider doing it for a couple of reasons: One, the poster is lovely, like an old-fashioned tourist brochure from a time long before the Tacoma Dome was built, or like some sort of Moroccan-ish textile. Two, Seattle artists show at the Helm, and can stretch there, can do things that feel like working while no one’s watching. Three, you’d be paying a tribute to Tacoma’s excellent, excellent poster culture, led by these guys.
Here’s the poster the Helm guys want you to buy:
And below is the best poster ever to come out of Tacoma. (I don’t know who designed it, and you can’t buy these—you had to pick one up inside a publication, I can’t remember which one but hence the fold, back in the day. I still have mine hanging at my desk, looking back at me pleadingly every day as I work.)
You will like Tacoma. It’s true. You could even drive down there and check out the Helm Gallery yourself. (If you do go, don’t miss Janet Cardiff’s exquisite experiment in collective versus individual expression, The Forty Part Motet at Tacoma Art Museum. Also at TAM, go into the bookstore and look for the holographic Renoir postcards. Thus you will discover the medium in which Renoir would have truly excelled. I’m not kidding. Mine has been blowing my mind all day.)
Right on, Jen. The Helm is worth saving.
One more thing, I do like the Helm for its are and occasional indie rock shows, but who gives a shit if *Seattle* artists show there?
Sean Alexander, one half of Helm, designed it!
tacoma is all douche bags
Jen, by saying that it's like "no one's watching" are you saying that the Tacomans who visit the Helm are "no ones"? Maybe not an intentional dig, since you used to live there and seem to support the Tacoma art scene, but very poorly chosen words at best...
bonstra, you're making me ill with your petty, insecure whining. like physically.
blank, sounds like both you and bonstra need a thicker skin.
Go Helm -- don't die on us!
Yeah, Tacoma! the Helm is worth helping, too bad no one saved The Black Front Gallery in Olympia ...
Whooot! Kudos to Jen Graves!
It's not everyday a writer has the balls to talk up Tacoma in a Seattle rag.
You were very brave and honorable Ms. Graves. So far the Seattleophiles haven't been too intolerable in response.
Instead of driving, you could take the express bus from University and 43rd and it would be a heck of a lot cheaper ...
But, hey, throw money at the Saudis ...
Good for Jen for posting this. But why does it take "balls" to write about a Tacoma gallery? It shouldn't -- the Stranger is distributed in Tacoma (and all over the Puget Sound) -- it's not just for/about Seattle anymore.
Wow, official Tacoma recognition in the Stranger? nyyyyceeee.
I don't just like Tacoma, I love Tacoma.
The posters are pretty cool ... picked mine up during last week's Art Walk and was drawn in by the siren song of one of the pieces in the current Fire! Fire! show as well, and plunked down some more cash for a very reasonably priced piece that appeals to by affinity for the written word as well. I know many folks who were overwhelmed by the show ... which only runs through tomorrow (Sunday) ... check it out!
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