ART AT WORK MONTH >>>

The public loves to visit an artist's studio. There is a magic about it. Artists can learn marketing skills and establish their own studios as a marketing space. The public bathes in voyeurism. Fifty-seven artists and collaborative studios share their space with the public Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6 during the Art at Work Month Tacoma Studio Tours.

All studios will feature demonstrations of the artistic process or will have hands-on activities for visitors.

The Tacoma Studio Tours is a free, self-guided tour with a website for pre-planning. That said, the Tacoma Arts Commission knows it's a daunting task to drive around town, find parking, resist the lure of happy hours and stay dry. Therefore, the Commish asked Angela Jossy, she of the famous Third Thursday Art Bus, to haul art enthusiasts from studio to studio in her nifty bus during the first day.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Jossy for the inside scoop on her plan.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: It's cool the Tacoma Arts Commission asked you to participate in the Tacoma Studio Tours.

ANGELA JOSSY: I was thrilled when Naomi Strom-Avila from the City approached me with the idea. It's an honor to have the Third Thursday Art Bus involved with Art at Work month. These studios are fairly far apart so it should be a fun day riding around together exploring them. Our riders won't have to worry about their gas tanks, parking or trying to find all the addresses. Plus, thanks to our tour guide, they'll get to learn things about the artists while we're en route to each place.

VOLCANO: How long will the bus stay at each studio?

JOSSY: It will be just like the regular tour, either 10 or 20 minutes, depending what the artist requested. 

VOLCANO: Will there be snacks?

JOSSY: It's possible that the studios might offer some snacks but we're not requiring them to do so. We might have a little something for them to nibble on the bus.

VOLCANO: What were the criteria for picking the studios on the tour?

JOSSY: Naomi provided me with contact information for all the studios participating in Studio Tours. I offered the opportunity to all of them. My motto is inclusive not exclusive. Everyone who asked to be on the tour was accepted. 

VOLCANO:  You and Vicky Winters have been something of a dynamic duo on the Third Thursday Art Bus. Will Vicky and her goodie bag be on the bus?

JOSSY: Yes, our lovely bus attendant Vicky will be there. We're not offering the VIP gift bag option for this tour, but she likes to spoil our riders so it's possible we might have some free treats for people.

VOLCANO:  Will Tacoma City Councilman David Boe be on the bus discussing architectural highlights between each stop?

JOSSY: Unfortunately, Councilman Boe won't be with us this time, but the first round will be guided by someone equally exciting: Voxxy from the well known local band Voxxy Vallejo. I'm still awaiting confirmation on the second round tour guide. 

VOLCANO: Do you think your art bus tours save lives?

JOSSY: Well we haven't run over anyone yet. That's a plus. And we do our level best to inspire our patrons to think and live more creatively. A little inspiration can go a long way toward making life worth living. Proudly we help our galleries and artists connect with people who love good art. We really love supporting our local artists. As far as I know, no one has lost an ear under our watch. So we're one up on the International Boxing Federation on that score.

VOLCANO: Any final words?

JOSSY: I can't wait for everyone to see the Art Bus buttons we have for the Studio Tours Saturday. Michaela Eaves made the cutest little owl and if you take Tour A you'll get a button where he has just his left eye open. If you ride Tour B you get one where just his right eye is open. If you ride both tours you get him with both eyes open.

As Jossy mentions, she'll drive around twice on Saturday:

Tour A: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. includes the studios of Jennevieve Schlemmer, Juan La Torre, Manitou Arts Center, Juliette Ricci, and Liz Cotton.

Tour B: 2-4:20 p.m. includes the studios of Two Ravens, Throwing Mud Gallery, Hilltop Artists, Lori Paine and Jet Artist Cooperative.

Bus leaves from Tacoma Art Museum. Tickets may be purchased in advance here, or a half-hour before departure time in front of TAM.

[Tacoma Art Museum, Saturday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., $10 one tour, $18 both, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, tacomaartbus.com]

LINK: Art at Work Month Tacoma Studio Tours details