[cid:image001.jpg@01CFD0E0.0900E8E0] Metal-Urge October 1 - November 30, 2014 31 locations around Tacoma Metal-Urge, a city-wide celebration of metal arts, explores the many ways that artists push this versatile and diverse medium. From October 1 - November 30, 31 venues will feature metal-themed exhibits, workshops, lectures, festivals, and more. It's time to explore Tacoma! A list of events and exhibits is available at TacomaMetalUrge.com<http://tacomametalurge.wordpress.com/>, and brochures are available in coffee shops and cultural venues around town. Three Metal-Urge highlights are: Metal-Urge Free Community Festival October 19, noon - 3 pm Tollefson Plaza, S. 17th and Pacific Ave. Come out for a free, fun-filled afternoon of metal arts. Below the majesty of Mary Coss' site specific public art installation "Three Graces", watch live sword fighting reenactments by Knights of Veritas, see a molten iron pour and create a scratch block with Tacoma Community College's sculpture department, and check out a blacksmithing demonstration with Lisa Geertson and Scott Szloch. Try your hand at making a textured metal charm with Tacoma Metal Arts Center and participate in some hands-on crafts with Tacoma Art Museum. Do all this while listening to steel drum music under the direction of Miho Takekawa and munching on good eats from food trucks. "Protective Ornament: Contemporary Amulets to Armor" October 18, 2014 - February 1, 2015 Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave. This exhibit showcases nearly 100 works-including helmets, brass knuckles, breastplates, aggressive or defensive jewelry, chain mail, amulets, talismans, and protective gear-designed to address issues of protection and empowerment in the face of everyday perils and social challenges. Ranging from protective hardware (physical fortification) and protective "software" (faith-based adornment), the array of contemporary works underlines the crucial safeguarding function of jewelry and other wearable ornaments. Organized by the National Ornamental Metal Museum Foundation, Inc. The exhibition was curated by Suzanne Ramljak, Editor of Metalsmith magazine. Seattle Metals Guild 19th Annual Northwest Jewelry & Metals Symposium October 18, 9 am - 5:30 pm Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave. This metal arts symposium features lectures by Metalsmith magazine editor Suzanne Ramljak, historian Stephen Fliegel, Vivian Beer, artist Jennifer Trask, jeweler Todd Pownell, and metalsmith Myra Mimlitsch-Gray. For more information or to register visit seattlemetalsguild.org/programs/symposium<http://www.seattlemetalsguild.org/programs/symposium/>. Metal-Urge is organized by the Tacoma Arts Commission and sponsored by Click! Cable TV and The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. Naomi Strom-Avila Cultural Arts Specialist City of Tacoma 747 Market Street, Room 900 Tacoma, WA 98402 253.591.5191