Contact at ‘Gallery 96 Tacoma’:  Mark Hoppmann (253) 495-1830 or email:  Mark@gallery96tacoma.com   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   ‘GALLERY 96 TACOMA GOES VIRTUAL’   Change of Venue for local gallery   Tacoma, WA, February 28, 2009 – Gallery 96, has closed its doors at Freighthouse Square, and launched a virtual gallery presence online in the form of www.gallery96tacoma.com .   The reason for the move is primarily creative. Though co-owners Mark Hoppmann and Penni Russell fully enjoyed the physical artistic presence in the form of the gallery, the amount of time spend promoting, planning, and coordinating efforts for the gallery, as well as staffing the gallery (along with co-owners Linda Jacobus and Janyce Sukow) seven days per week for the past two years took its toll on creative time, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on their next creative projects. Offers glass artist, Penni Russell, “I found that completing a glass project became impossible. I am adamant about perfecting my glass, so something had to give. For me, that was an easy decision- the glass always comes first.”   Gallery co-owner Mark Hoppmann says, “The gallery has been more successful than we could have imagined these past two years, and even with the recent downturn in the economy, the collectors have remained steadfast supporters. But they also realize that by our closing, they are letting us get back to what we do best.   The two other co-owners of Gallery 96, Janyce Sukow and Linda Jacobus, are pursuing other artistic endeavors as well.   “We’re excited about the virtual gallery”, adds Hoppmann. By adding a local photographer, Frances C. Blaker, and retaining area sumi-e and collage artist Patrice Bruzas, along with the multiple mediums of both Russell and Hoppmann, there are twelve different mediums or genres of fine art on the website.   To introduce the virtual gallery, Gallery 96 hosted a celebration on February 21, 2009 at their Freighthouse Square location.   “We were delighted at the positive response from our regular collectors in attendance at our launch celebration (as well as from emails we received)- it makes it that much easier to close the doors”, said Mark Hoppmann.   Gallery 96 Tacoma will continue to host two live events per year with all details posted on the gallery website or, to receive updates and special invitations, contact Mark Hoppmann at the gallery 253-495-1830.  #####   For additional information: Gallery 96 Tacoma www.gallery96tacoma.com       Phone: (253) 495-1830