[cid:image003.jpg@01CFE6FF.467DEB20] Metal-Urge Free Community Festival Sunday, October 19 12 - 3 pm Tollefson Plaza, S. 17th & Pacific Avenue, Tacoma Free! No RSVP required Join us for a free, fun-filled afternoon of metal arts for the whole family. Entertainment includes: * Live sword fighting reenactments and display of armor and artifacts by Knights of Veritas<http://www.knightsofveritas.org/> * Scratch block activity and molten iron pour with Tacoma Community College's sculpture department<http://www.tacomacc.edu/areasofstudy/collegetransfer/art/> * Blacksmithing demonstrations with Lisa Geertson<http://www.firelightforge.com/> and Travis Conn * Textured metal charm activity with Tacoma Metal Arts Center<http://www.tacomametalarts.com/> * Hands-on metal crafts with Tacoma Art Museum<http://tacomaartmuseum.org/> * Steel music under the direction of Miho Takekawa<http://www.plu.edu/music/about-us/staff-and-faculty/home.php?details=takekawa> * Three Graces sculptures by Mary Coss<http://www.marycoss.com/>, in the plaza pools * Food trucks - Lumpia World and The Original House of Donuts! [cid:image001.jpg@01CFD0E0.0900E8E0] Metal-Urge is a city-wide celebration of metal arts that explores the many ways artists push this versatile and diverse medium. From October 1 - November 30, 31 venues will feature metal-themed exhibits, workshops, lectures, festivals, and more. A list of all events and exhibits is available at TacomaMetalUrge.com<http://tacomametalurge.wordpress.com/>, and brochures are available in coffee shops and cultural venues around town. Besides the Metal-Urge Free Community Festival, two additional anchor programs are: "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