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.
 |
| 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.
