Paula's Notes:  Renewed and refreshed in their new location and building, Tacoma Art Museum acts as sentinel and the cornerstone of Tacoma’s rejuvenated cultural epicenter – the dowager empress.

The building itself is a work of art – reflecting back to the city the natural beauty found in the Northwest.

Inside, bright and airy galleries flow gracefully, allowing an abundance of space to view the great exhibits hosted by the museum. Whenever I visit the museum and walk into the main gallery, the sheer massiveness of the room takes my breath away, yet I marvel at the sense of personal space, the sense I get of exclusive engagement with the works displayed. Even on a busy day, the museum abuzz with visitors, I’ve found there is plenty of room to view the art, pace before it and absorb the different angles or to merely sit before it and marvel.

Tacoma Art Museum is also home to an incredible permanently displayed collection of Dale Chihuly’s glass art. The collection is particularly notable because it includes many earlier works by Chihuly which are exceptionally exquisite.

A very nice lunch can be had in the Museum Café and, I must admit, the Museum has one of THE best retail stores I’ve ever visited.