With encouraging weather in the forecast, I took a road trip
south to join Urban Sketchers of Tacoma for their third anniversary sketch
outing on Saturday, June 4, 2016. I was
excited they were meeting at the Museum of Glass because I knew I wanted to
draw the bridge next to the museum. I
thought it might have a jazzy name, Hightower or Stretch comes to mind, but,
according to an online website it’s called the East 21st Street
Suspension Bridge. It was a very warm
day so I found a spot of deep shade under a small tree and focused on the
prize. Brilliant sunlight spotlighted the bridge creating masses of dark
shadows. I could see boats tethered contentedly beneath the bridge and the
Tacoma Dome through the arc of the span. An American flag fluttered crisply in
the breeze.
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| East 21st St Bridge, Tacoma |
I give Tacoma
bragging rights for their urban waterfront splendor. A grand staircase descends to a wide-open
public space in front of the contemporary Museum of Glass. Fountains and promenades parallel the waterfront
where boats of all sizes dock with a marina.
My favorite bridge is to the right and a rustic trestle bridge is to the
left. Tacoma Narrows, another picturesque
suspension bridge located to the northwest, links the city to Kitsap Peninsula.
After the meet-up, as I crossed the glowing Dale Chihuly Bridge
of Glass overpass that connects the Museum of Glass to the cultural corridor of
Tacoma, I had fun pondering bridge symbolism in a city ringed with distinctive
bridges. I also experienced appreciation for the artists and designers who created
the dynamic public spaces in downtown Tacoma.
Wonderful post, Kathleen! I'm going to share it to the 4th Annual West Coast Sketch Crawl page! It provides good motivation for those thinking of attending.
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Glad you joined us Kathleen! I enjoy your words and your sketches. Speaking of your first bridge..did you learn on Saturday that there is free parking under it...on both sides of the waterway. Those locations are great in all kinds of weather. The 'other' bridge has an elevator...very handy for sketchers on 11th and Pacific who want to go down to the waterfront...or, vice versa. We have all kinds of sweet secrets for sketchers in downtown Tacoma. :-)
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