Weekly Volcano

If you’ve been to the Tacoma Night Market, you’ve probably experienced the magic of community, art, and whimsy coming together. If you’re lucky, you may have also seen an artist and creativity coach standing near a wet canvas, offering you a brush and an invitation to make your mark on a community-created painting.

The person inviting you to participate in that painting is Lore Alexander.

They didn’t set out to be an artist. In fact, they were convinced they were simply not a so-called “creative” person.

Today, Alexander leads community art workshops, coaches others on creativity, and provides the freelance copyediting services that were the start of the whole adventure.

The Creative Rebellion of “Ugly” Art - BY KEELIN EVERLY-LANG for WEEKLY VOLCANO 6/12/2026 | If you’ve been to the Tacoma Night Market, you’ve probably experienced the magic of community, art, and whimsy coming together. If you’re lucky, you may have also seen an artist and creativity coach standing near a wet canvas, offering you a...

Tacoma’s summer festival season looks a little different this year.

One of the city’s most recognizable multicultural celebrations won’t return. Several longtime festivals are marking milestone anniversaries. Neighborhood events are adapting to changing streetscapes and transit options. Meanwhile, newer celebrations continue to attract larger audiences and broader participation.

Yet if there is a common thread running through Tacoma’s 2026 festival calendar, organizers say it is community.

From cultural celebrations and neighborhood block parties to arts festivals and longtime traditions, Tacoma’s summer events continue to reflect a city that is growing, changing, and finding new ways to bring people together.

Tacoma’s Summer Festival Season Reflects a City in Motion - BY KRISTIE WORTHEY for WEEKLY VOLCANO 6/12/2026 | Tacoma’s summer festival season looks a little different this year. One of the city’s most recognizable multicultural celebrations won’t return. Several longtime festivals are marking milestone anniversaries. Neighborhood events are adapting to...