Aug 04 Tuesday
In summer 2026, MOHAI will be one of only eight venues nationwide to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation—a landmark exhibit from the National Archives created in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Inspired by the Freedom Train, which carried historic documents across the country during the Bicentennial, the Freedom Plane National Tour shares original founding-era records from the National Archives with a limited number of cultural institutions nationwide.
Selected as one of only eight venues nationwide, and the final stop on the national tour, MOHAI will host the Freedom Plane National Tour from July 30–August 16, 2026, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Pacific Northwest to experience these original records before they return to the National Archives vaults.
In alignment with MOHAI’s mission and the significance of America’s 250th anniversary, the Freedom Plane National Tour exhibit will be presented free and open to the public during its run at MOHAI. Additional visitor information will be shared closer to the exhibit opening.
MOHAI will showcase original founding-era documents on loan from the National Archives, central to the creation of the United States.
These fragile, irreplaceable documents are traveling together for the first time as part of the Freedom Plane National Tour. After appearing at a limited number of cultural institutions nationwide, the tour will conclude at MOHAI before the documents return to the National Archives.
Dive into the whimsical world of Moominvalley and the life of its creator, Tove Jansson, with "Moomins’ Sea Adventures" and "Tove and the Sea".
"Moomins’ Sea Adventures" brings Moominvalley to life with illustrations and life-sized characters from the stories. In the center of the exhibit is an interactive island complete with a lighthouse and rowboats that invites visitors to imagine adventures of their own.
"Tove and the Sea" offers a more intimate counterpoint, tracing Tove Jansson’s lifelong relationship with the Finnish archipelago through large-scale photographs and reflective texts.
“Every piece I create, from the humblest tumbler to the most baroque sculpture, makes a statement about isolation, striving, access, perseverance, boundary pushing, and the pursuit of excellence. I believe my presence in the field as a working-class Black man, striving and excelling in a field occupied chiefly by society’s most privileged (whitest), is a powerful artistic and political gesture. “—Jason McDonald
Glass vessels evocative of the highly ornamented Baroque style, black silhouettes embedded in scenes on ancient pottery vessels, and medallion reliefs of Black figures all abide in the deliberate, expansive practice of Jason McDonald. McDonald’s visual language is deeply rooted in research of ancient histories, traditional techniques, and race. Here, contemporary ideas blend and transform tradition with caring attention to detail, precision in thought, and beauty. Motivated by glass—with its magical properties, myriads of endless possibilities and potential—McDonald’s devotion lies in the desire to refine the craft, making his hands more familiar and knowledgeable with each replication. Through his repetition and re-imagination of these historical forms, the objects transform into sculptures and vessels of time, carrying with them the essence of centuries-old traditions, as well as McDonald’s commitment and insertion of the representation and notions of Black identity. With a commitment to the craft that transcends his own work, McDonald diligently carves out space for those who will follow him through mentoring and the creation of his own glass studio, which he has named Ideal Conditions.
Organized by Tacoma Art Museum and curated by Victoria Miles.
Each week brings new adventures during the Summer Splash! Festival of Fun! Our event calendar is filled with exciting activities and special guests that spark creativity, curiosity, and wonder. Enjoy roller-skating parrots, circus performers, inspiring artists, border collie athletes, sand carvers, a 25-foot rock wall, and so much more!
Presented by WSECU
Childhood's End Gallery presents Form a Line, a group exhibition of new work by four distinct Pacific Northwest artists. Finding common ground in bold representation of the natural world, Kathy Anderson, Colleen Cotey, Sara Gettys, and Julia Janeway each bring a practiced sensitivity to their chosen mediums. Through processes that remove material or add it, these four artists present new works rooted in an intimate knowledge of place and material.
This class is for kiddos ages 2-3 who are neurodivergent and/or on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. Please bring headphones for your child if they benefit from wearing them, we will have a few spare pairs as well!
Live meditative marimba music on summer Sundays. All ages welcome.
Join musician Erin Jorgensen for an hour of meditative marimba music on Sunday mornings this summer. Bring your own blankets and pillows to the Whim W'him space on Queen Anne hill (a gorgeous refinished church) and re-set your nervous system with the help of a beautiful sounds of a 5-octave concert marimba. All ages are welcome! Sessions recur on Sundays this summer at 11:30am.
Pay what you can - donations accepted at the door.
Northwest Expressions, the popular summertime exhibition, brings together 50 works by 35 Northwest artists. Assemblage, paintings of many kinds, sculpture, fiber art and mixed media collage are together in Northwind Art's spacious Jeanette Best Gallery. Come see the Juror's Choice Award winner, "Northwest Island" by Marian Morris, and then cast your ballot in the People's Choice Award voting box. The gallery is free to all, including well-behaved dogs, and open 12 noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays (closed most Tuesdays and Wednesdays). More info and images await under the Shop heading at https://northwindart.org.
Mark your calendars—the Hilltop Artists annual Arts Night Out Block Party returns this August! Join Hilltop Artists and our community partners for a night of free fun, food, music, and artmaking.
The annual Arts Night Out Block Party is coming up on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 from 4 – 7 PM. 500+ community members join us at Hilltop Heritage for an afternoon of games, crafts, glass demos, food and treats. Along with many local community and youth-serving organizations, we will also be featuring our entrepreneurial alumni in the returning Alumni Artists Market during this year’s event.
Swing by the hot shop at Hilltop Heritage to see live glass blowing; grab a refreshing treat, enjoy hands-on arts and crafts, and get out on the dancefloor with a live DJ!
the email and the phone number has changed. email is pelicancandy5@gmail.com and phone number is Diane M. Crews 253-401-7463. The group name is now Parkland Neighborhood Group.
