March 2017 Monthly Outings

 First Saturday, March 4th 

Marine Park & Les Davis Pier

2/26/17:  Changed  see updated info below....

Dolce Si' Sicilian Bakery & Café 

5005 Main St #105, Tacoma, WA 98407

Point Ruston Complex off Ruston Way, Tacoma WA

Meet inside the café at 10:00 AM.  We have the opportunity to stay and sketch at Dolce Si', or be part of a monthly Italian get-together in the Complex lounge next door (10:00am to 2:00 pm / free) if you'd like to listen to live Italian music while you sketch.

Directions:
Take I-705N from I-5 to Schuster Parkway (exit ramp is LEFT) onto Ruston Way.  Dolce Si' is approx. 5 1/2 miles from I-5.

Some parking may be available on the street by the café, if not, continue to the (free) parking garage at the far-end of the complex.

They are still adding on to the complex, so there are many areas fenced off for construction.  There are 7 eating places there already, a cinema, etc.  Also a park with benches on the water side if the weather clears up.

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Second Thursday, March 9th  Sidney Museum and Gallery

 
In March we will be visiting Sidney Museum and Gallery in downtown Port Orchard 

202 Sidney Ave, Port Orchard, WA 98366.  It is located just a block up from Bay St.  

 http://www.sidneymuseumandarts.com/

 

The downstairs of this historic building is devoted to a fine art gallery full of interesting displays of handmade items and a wide array of wall art for sale.  The upstairs has an interesting and eclectic collection of historic photos, items, and vignettes of times past.  (If mannequins creep you out you will want to stay downstairs.)
 

 

We will meet in front of the Museum at 10 am and be allowed entry an hour before official opening at 11am.  There is no fee but donations are greatly appreciated as the Museum is staffed by volunteers.

Directions:

Cross Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Continue on Hwy 16 W (Northbound)
Exit to Tremont St/Old Clifton Rd
Turn right at the end of the exit
Go through the first three traffic lights (S Kitsap Blvd; Pottery; Port Orchard Blvd)
Turn Left at the fourth traffic light (Sidney Rd).  Watch the speed limit!
As you approach Port Orchard proper the road takes a steep descent for a couple of blocks (great views of Bremerton here!)
The Museum is on the Left on the corner of Sidney and Prospect

There is quite a lot of street parking, plenty of chairs for use, and a restroom is on site.

Lunch options include Central Dock in the Market on Bay St or Amy’s on the Bay near the waterfront and library.

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Third Wednesday March 15 Jewel Box Cafe Point Ruston

5107 Grand Loop, Tacoma, WA 98407

http://www.jewelboxcafe.net/tacoma/location-and-hours/

 
This is a large roomy place - great for sketching indoors if the weather is not cooperative. Easy to get to, great place for lunch - excellent sketching on the waterfront too. Plenty of free parking either on the street or in free parking garage less then a block away.

Let’s support venues that are sketcher-friendly by partaking of their good food while we sketch their unusual and unique interior.  So be generous, be considerate of the establishment and their customers and show the world how sketching can help everyone to be happy!

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Fourth Thursday March 23   All Star Guitar

3110 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
http://www.allstarstrings.com/

Meet at 10 am at the shop.  Though it doesn't open until 11am it will open at 10 for sketchers.   

The shop is in the harbor above Spriros Pizza on the second floor.

We'll have a short walk to Tides Tavern for lunch!
2925 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
http://www.tidestavern.com/

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Ad Hoc EVENING Sketch-outing March 6, 2017

Pythian Temple

924 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
across the street from the Pantages Theater

The Grand Chancellor of the Pythian Temple has given us permission to sketch at the:

 ….”Tacoma’s Grandest Secret Place”.

Meet at the front door Doors at 6:30 pm

3/3/2017 update of information

Please arrive between 6:00-6:30 pm
Update on entrance to the building: The official address is: 924 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402(across the street from the Pantages Theater) however, the entrance is not there! ENTER THROUGH THE BACK DOOR of the building, located on Court C street. You will find the back entrance is a very old door with glass in its top half—with the Pythias logo on it. (It is a bit difficult to open this door, so do persevere.)


Time update: We’ve been told we may enter at 6 pm, though Mark Monlux, our Host, will arrive at 6:30. Upon entering from the back door, go down the hall to the door at its end, and through it, into the Club House. (The Members’ hang-out). If you arrive early, please stay in the Club House until Mark - our host and guide - arrives. At 6:30, a couple of the Brothers will give our sketchers a brief tour and tell some stories about the building.

Appropriate Dress for the Occasion:  Please DRESS WARMLY, because no part of the building is heated, except the Club House.

Limitations for Sketchers to honor on site: We may use our usual sketch materials only in designated areas, which we will learn on site. In the Castle Hall (also called the Great Hall) is a huge, original carpet…this area is where limits to mediums must be honored. (no liquids or water brushes, no dusty mediums like charcoal/pastels…so carpet is not affected by our presence.) Pens, pencils, colored pencils (i.e. mediums that aren't drippy or dusty) are acceptable in the Castle Hall.

In the Castle Hall, for safety reasons, a maximum of 1-2 people only may go onto the balcony at the same time. We’ll learn details about this, on site.

Parking:  Probably free on-street parking in the area after 6pm.  Free parking in Freight House Square parking garages, with the Free Trolley stop close by.

In 1906, Frederick Heath was the architect for Tacoma’s grand Tourist Hotel which later became reconstructed into a high school. (Stadium High School).  During that reconstruction, Heath’s glorious interior was modernized and therefore, lost. Fortunately, at the same time he worked on the hotel, Heath was working on the Temple of the Knights of Pythias at 924 Broadway in the center of the theater district.  To this day, the Pythian Temple interior retains every bit of Heath’s original intent (Renaissance Revival architecture) and some today describe it as “Tacoma’s Grandest Secret Place.” The picture included here shows Castle Hall, an impressive, soaring high-ceiling room lined with gorgeous Douglas fir paneling. This landmark has become a clubhouse for the often pithy Cartoonist League of Absurd Washingtonians (CLAW) and Mark Monlux, CLAW member, illustrator and cartoonist will be our guide and join us for sketching. Some other CLAW artists may join us as well. 

(See Mark's work  http://www.cartoonistsleague.org/gallery/mark-monlux/ )

The Pythian Temple, built in 1906 for Commencement Lodge Number 7 of the Knights of Pythias, is an historic building 

prepared by Kate Buike, with the input from all the hosts (Tom Bradley, Darcie Beck, Mary McInnis, Pam Jenkins).