BY ANGELA JOSSY for WEEKLY VOLCANO 7/18/25 |
The Art on the Ave management torch has been passed to a new team of organizers, and all signs point to a big win for the new crew: Sixth Avenue’s new district manager is Stein Hansen; event coordinator is Dave Hickey; vendor coordinator is Jessica Schwartz; and volunteer coordinator is Tom Ebenhoh. One of the best things about bringing in fresh faces is the infusion of new ideas, new partnerships, and even more inclusion from our art, music, nonprofit, and small business communities. This year we were excited to see participation from some new players: Rotator Creative, X Group, La Paloma, CONCEPT, Promo Originals, Working Design, The Method, and Skatelite. Returning supporters include Tacoma Creates, The Red Hot, O’Malley’s, Tsunami Tattoo, High Voltage Records, Avelon Ballroom, Vuelta La Luna, Dockyard Roller Derby, and Real Art Tacoma.
One of the best things about a festival is that it’s the perfect opportunity to make new connections. The more community ties we have, the stronger and healthier our society becomes. As you browse the more than 200 vendor booths, you become that person who “has a guy” (or person) for everything. Festivals offer a chance to discover new music from local bands without going to bars, experience all kinds of art without stepping into a gallery, and find local resources that enrich your life—without consulting Google and getting redirected to a corporation instead. Attending a festival is essentially learning, networking, and creating new connections disguised as shopping, snacking, and dancing in the streets. The whole thing is genius.
That said, putting together 10 blocks of arts and entertainment is no small task. It usually takes several dedicated individuals and an entire year of planning to execute effectively. It requires a diplomatic mindset, a calm demeanor, several backup plans for every original plan—and a lot of funding, which is never guaranteed. It’s possible that next year the funding won’t be available to throw such an elaborate party. Art on the Ave will most likely need even more community support, trade partnerships, and sponsors. If you love what you see, consider participating next year as a sponsor or volunteer. Festivals like Art on the Ave require a lot of human-powered support to set everything up, tear everything down, and manage things during the event. If you’d like to volunteer this year, contact Tom at tomeben20@gmail.com.
Art Features at the 2025 Art on the Ave Festival
Stein Hansen: The Creative Force Behind the Festival’s Visual Identity
This year’s Art on the Ave branding—every poster, graphic, and digital element—comes from the imaginative mind of Stein Hansen, who wears many hats in Tacoma. He is the district manager for the 6th Avenue Business District, co-owner of The Method Skateboards and Coffee, and founder of a new creative firm called Working Design. Through this company, Hansen donated all the design work for this year’s Art on the Ave festival. Working Design specializes in everything from illustration to full-scale brand identity. Hansen leads the digital design arm, bringing clarity, cohesion, and a modern aesthetic to this year’s festival materials.
At The Method, Hansen champions a DIY, skater-rooted ethic—“Sip it. Grip it. Rip it.”—that clearly informs his artistic style: bold, expressive, and unapologetically local. His work for Art on the Ave blends a colorful modern urban aesthetic with community spirit, giving Tacoma’s biggest summer festival a fresh visual voice. Whether he’s curating brand systems or hosting community events, Hansen’s work is fueled by creativity and care for his city. This year, The Method teamed up with Skatelite to provide a skate ramp for a demonstration during the festival near Sixth and Junett Street.
All In Together Exhibit by CONCEPT
All In Together is a curated group show by CONCEPT, an experiential creative collective led by Tacoma-based artist Deirdre Patterson. Known for her intuitive and abstract style, Patterson works in painting and sculpture. For this exhibit, she brings together nine regional artists—Eryn Byrd–QUIGTAR, Von Deon, Tiffany Hammonds, Lourdes Jackson, Jaymes Junio, Melodie Knight, Allison Rohland, Kenji Stoll, and herself—to create a tented outdoor gallery at Art on the Ave near Sixth and Trafton Street.
Native Art on the Ave
A New Indigenous Market Centered in Community and Equity will be making its debut at this year’s Art on the Ave festival. Native Art on the Ave is a Native-led marketplace hosted by the La Paloma Project, the nonprofit arm of La Paloma Marketplace. Led by Molly Alvarado and supported by her daughter, Amalia Alvarado, La Paloma is dedicated to empowering creative entrepreneurs through mentorship, collaborative learning, and culturally rooted programming. The July 20 market will feature all-Native vendors near Sixth and Junett Street.
226 Vendor Booths
Every year, Art on the Ave features 10 blocks of vendors, the majority of whom are artists. As you stroll down the avenue, you’ll encounter fine art, fashion, upcycled items, books, crafts, candles, jewelry, screen printers, handbags, photographs, art prints, vinyl records—and more delectable food options than your stomach can possibly handle. One notable addition this year is Promo Originals, a screen-printing company offering exclusive Art on the Ave merchandise, including T-shirts and totes. They will also demonstrate their screen-printing process during the festival near Sixth and Pine Street.
Art on the Ave
Sunday, July 20 from noon to 7 p.m.
For more information, visit: www.artontheave.org
