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Community artist’s talents make visible impact on Tacoma neighborhoods

By Matt Nagle

Tacoma Weekly
mattnagle@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: July 24, 2008

If you’re out cruising through the 6th Avenue Farmers Market on some Tuesday afternoon this summer, check out the back wall of Schuck’s Auto Parts. Tacoma artist Jennevieve Schlemmer will be there, working on a big mural commissioned by the 6th Avenue Business District Association in honor of the much-anticipated market’s first season of business. Having just started the mural last week when the market had its grand opening, she’s been working on it just a couple of days a week so passers-by can see the progress. Once complete, the image will be that of an old-fashioned vegetable truck with oversized veggies and a slogan urging viewers to “Eat your vegetables.” Plans are to have the mural completed by Aug. 4.

Given much creative license for the project, Schlemmer said she developed the final outline for the mural by turning to the event that sparked it. “I was inspired to do something that has to do with the market,” she said from atop her ladder as she filled in areas within the lines she had sketched out on the wall. She said she also kept in mind that the mural would be associated with the auto parts store, so she incorporated the truck into the design as well.

Schlemmer said she likes to get to the work site before the market opens to the public to work on the line drawing since it takes some concentration to do so. Then she launches into painting once the market gates open so she can talk to those whose curiosity gets the better of them.

Once it’s finished, the formerly blank and nondescript wall, which Schuck’s donated for the mural and primed for new paint as well, will be full of color and a bit of whimsy that’s sure to bring pride to 6th Avenue residents and the many artists who call the district home.

Born and raised in Bellingham, Schlemmer moved to Tacoma from Seattle about four years ago to get out of the often-overwhelming bigger city and hook up with a closely-knit community of artists. She credited local artists Lynn Di Nino and Claudia Reidener for helping to make the Tacoma arts scene welcoming for everyone.  

An artist with skills in numerous media, Schlemmer excels in tile mosaics, and she has done numerous such public art installations in Tacoma. On the exterior walls at the Northeast Tacoma Police Substation she created seven porcelain mosaic panels titled “City Creek Jewel” in honor of Puget Creek that runs near there. Her work can also be seen at Cheney Stadium, six baseball-themed porcelain mosaic panels on the exterior walls titled “It’s Outta Here.” These are two of the nearly 20 community art projects she has completed during the past 10 years or so.

“I’m always trying to make them about the community they’re placed in,” she said about her various public works. “They become a symbol of the neighborhood.”

More of her work, and that of four other artists, will be seen on 6th Avenue in the coming weeks when a collection of surplus 1970s-era planters will be installed along the avenue, refurbished by the artists. Schlemmer’s is done in tile mosaic.

For Proctor Arts Festival Aug. 2, Schlemmer and several other artists have crocheted hats that will sit atop light poles in the neighborhood.

During the Glassroots Arts Fest Aug. 24, she and Di Nino have a piece of performance art planned where they will cover dancers’ bodies in crocheted costumes. The two will also be holding a yard sale there to benefit Emergency Food Network, selling all kinds of recycled items painted lime green and for sale at $5 each.

“I’m always joking that I can’t say no to a project,” Schlemmer laughed, “but I can’t say no.”

Learn more about Schlemmer at www.jennevieve.com.

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