GO Arts - Buy "Tacoma"--Save the Helm

What's new on the walls, stage, screen and streets of Tacoma and South Puget Sound.

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

Posted by Rosemary Ponnekanti @ 10:00:14 am

The Helm Gallery's in deep water--and you can save it.

It's a known fact that galleries don't make a whole lot of money, especially the small, cutting-edge ones like The Helm, just up from Tully's on Broadway downtown. For a year now they've been showing exactly the kind of art that doesn't make big bucks, but gives a great aesthetic edge to our town: huge painted cardboard cubby-houses, exquisite pen-and-ink drawings, afghan scarf installations, purses made from ceramic. They've supported many local artists, and given us the kind of funky art we don't want to have to go to Seattle for. And they've been breaking even, til now.

But now they're in trouble. They're not just not making money, they're out of money. They have another 12 months on their lease, but unless they get some funds fast, they'll "just go belly-up," says co-owner Sean Alexander.

Tacoma poster, by Sean Alexander. Image courtesy The Helm Gallery.

So here's how you can help.

The Helm is selling off prints of this terrific drawing by Alexander of a dreamy Tacoma layered in domes like the Emerald City. Each print (an edition of 300) costs $50, of which 1/3 goes to a Helm mural project downtown and the rest to saving this hip art space. (The original's also for sale, at $450.)

Get your print at The Helm, Blackwater Cafe or Tacoma Art Supply in about seven days, when they're back from the printer.

Meanwhile, says Alexander, the gallery will stay open through September, as they have artists booked (check out the opening Thursday night of scream-inducing, black-humor art.)

After that--well, it depends on the money.

Categories: Galleries • 4 comments

COMMENTS:

Comment by Ebjornson @ 13:19 - Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

http://i.feedtacoma.com/Erik/

The Helm is ground zero for local artists. It needs to be saved.

Comment by bluebrownwhiteman @ 20:18 - Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

I thought i would add a more extensive explanation of the mural project relating to this fundraiser. each person who purchases a poster's name or business name will be included on a commemorative plate attached to the mural. it will read something like, "this mural was generously paid for by anne anderson, arbuckle shoes, etc...). in addition to that, the helm will be selecting seven artist candidates for the execution of the mural. only purchasers of the poster will have the right to vote and majority will win. the artist will be paid healthy and the helm will have enough money to cover operation for at least another year.

Comment by bluebrownwhiteman @ 20:19 - Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

correction: each person who purchases a poster will have their name or business name included on the mural

Comment by Rosemary Ponnekanti @ 22:13 - Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

You're absolutely right, bluebrownwhiteman. I didn't go into all that in the interests of brevity, but the mural is a worthwhile project, glad you mentioned it.

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GO Arts

Arts reporter and critic Rosemary Ponnekanti keeps you in touch with the arts and culture scene with the help of other News Tribune writers, critics and editors.

Rosemary Ponnekanti is the arts reporter at The News Tribune, and has been a classical music nerd nearly all her life. Besides spending way too much time in galleries, museums and concert halls, she occasionally brings a whistle or double bass to Celtic jam sessions, and insists on singing "Happy Birthday" in four-part harmony.

Other contributors include:

> Movie critic Soren Andersen
> Arts & entertainment editor Craig Sailor