A huge, adorable puppy and exquisite floats from a glass master will join the permanent collection of Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). Members of TAM’s Board of Trustees gathered at the museum June 26 to discuss new additions to the collections, partnerships with other organizations and other items of interest during its annual meeting.

“We hold a sacred trust for our community,” outgoing Board President Judith Nilan told the gathered trustees. That trust requires them to “engage, inspire and enrich” the public through art.

Four outgoing board members were recognized; Rick Carr, Art Grant, Bev Losey, Tom Hanly, Chuck Miller and Caryl Sherpa. Nilan also shared her thoughts about two members who passed away recently.

Dennis Seinfeld will be remembered for his sharp wit and interest in art. “He was determined and passionate about this place,” Nilan said.

Lowell Butson’s ties to TAM were deep. Her grandmother donated the former bank building that served as its home for over 30 years until it moved to its new building in 2003. “She had a tireless dedication to our mission,” Nilan said of Butson.

Incoming Board President Susan Russell Hall introduced the new board members.

Mark Castelin works in client services for Russell Investment Group; Steve Harlow, senior vice president of business banking at Heritage Bank; Steve Hillyard, who recently retired as vice president and chief accounting officer at Weyerhaeuser; Lisa Hoffman, a professor at University of Washington-Tacoma; Bennet Krohn, a noted art collector; Ann Lockwood, who formerly managed a division of Simpson Tacoma Kraft; Kathy McGoldrick, who served on TAM’s board from 1999 to 2005 and is active on various boards and community organizations.

Executive Director Stephanie Stebich, who arrived at TAM in spring 2005, discussed her first year on the job.

One notable achievement has been stronger collaboration with the other museums in the neighborhood - Museum of Glass and Washington State History Museum. Stebich discussed some joint marketing efforts among the three institutions.

Stebich covered findings of a recent survey of TAM’s members and visitors. There are about 2,700 member households. They represent a diversity of ages, income levels and ethnic backgrounds. Forty eight percent are under 50. Forty eight percent earn under $50,000 per year, and 30 percent earn over $100,000.

Stebich said the ethnic breakdown matches the demographics of Pierce County, with 81 percent white, three percent black, three percent Hispanic and the rest other minority groups.

Ninety percent of visitors said they would return, Stebich added.

TAM has received extensive coverage in the national media, both in specialized art publications and major newspapers. “This is a source of great pride for us,” Stebich said.

Seattle Art Museum has closed its main facility for a major renovation, and has shifted its operations to the smaller Asian Art Museum. As a result, TAM is drawing more visitors from Seattle, according to Stebich. About 25 percent of new members are from Seattle. “We are speaking to that audience,” she said.

TAM has increased its collaboration with local Boys and Girls Clubs and Metro Parks, she continued. A summer program for youth for 2006 with Metro Parks is already sold out.

Last November, TAM partnered with Centro Latino on a celebration of Day of the Dead, an important holiday in Hispanic cultures. The event was more popular than Stebich expected, and TAM is considering doing it again this year, she said.

Another new program is a self-guided walking tour around the neighborhood by cell phone. People can call 1-(888) 411-4221 and hear a message from glass artist Dale Chihuly, then proceed to various sites around the vicinity of the museum as the message provides information.

Seattle artist Akio Takamori, who currently has an exhibit at TAM, gave the keynote address. He did a power point presentation of his works and discussed the evolution of his style and techniques.

 Trustee Brad Jones discussed new additions to the permanent collection. Among the highlights of the 84 new pieces is a choker by noted jewelry artist Mary Lu Hu and a large, ribbon-style piece of wood art by Leo Saul Berk that was in a recent exhibit.

Earlier this year, glass floats made by Chihuly were installed in an outdoor courtyard at TAM. Jones said Chihuly has decided to make them a gift to his hometown museum. “These are immensely significant pieces,” Jones observed.

“Leroy the Big Pup” is a dog sculpture of wood and paper that sits at the front entrance of the museum. Its creator, Scott Fife, has offered to sell the piece, which has become quite popular with patrons. Jones said a fundraising drive to purchase it is underway. “This piece has really resonated with our community,” Jones said.

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Big dog, glass floats join Tacoma Art Museum