With the unveiling of Mirrored Murrelets and the installation of Fluent Steps on the way, we have a great opportunity to educate our visitors in the open-air once again. Though the weather may not always cooperate, our outdoor stage at MOG provides an excellent setting for very meaningful tours.

The experience of an architectural tour educates our visitors about MOG’s design and construction. But in particular, one has an opportunity to connect visitors to the relationship art has in urban design - engaging the audience at another level. The discussion then becomes another dimension that connects our visitors with the artists, the city, and our collective community, which further creates a creative, dynamic learning environment that is a touchstone of our mission.

Drawing from contemporary urban planning philosophies, public art practices can be grouped into three functional categories. First, public art is used to decorate or enhance urban spaces. Secondly, it is used as an experience within a space (usually marrying architecture, landscape, art and urban design). Lastly, public art is used as a public interest statement connecting the public with social issues such as AIDS, the environment, politics, etc.

Communities seek public art practices for various reasons: To serve as a model for arts funding and public arts programming; to enhance civic infrastructures; to develop a city’s identity; to revere historical significance; to raise social awareness; or to bring multiple groups of people together. These are just a few. A shared concept in all is that public art provides a site with a voice to make a statement.

In fine form, MOG links these concepts and practices together very well. Our site plan visually organizes an art-city relationship for anyone that visits. Immediately, MOG’s site and our public art exhibits contextualize many talking points: Be it the glass art movement; contemporary art and artists; modern architecture; architectural theming; site identity; social awareness; urban identity, and lifestyle all at once.

We are surrounded with socio-historical references such as the significant industrial evolution and restoration of the Thea Foss Waterway; or MOG’s role in forming a larger cultural district in downtown Tacoma. We are also surrounded with architectural points of interest such as the hot shop cone, the varied bridges surrounding the museum, or historic Union Station. Fortunately, mother nature surrounds us with Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound, and the Olympics which enhance the views for a one-of-a-kind experience.

To consider this further, artist Joe Rossano along with MOG, promotes a dialogue between artists, cities, and people that reaches others beyond Tacoma. The portability of Mirrored Murrelets carries his message across borders, bringing a dialogue to other communities, thereby sharing the glass, our mission, and cultural experience in a meaningful, authentic way while connecting the art back to its anchor, the Museum of Glass. What an achievement!

Through MOG’s endeavors and through our docent work, we enhance the educational experience for our guests. Through the exchange of information and insights we create a dynamic learning environment for ourselves and for our mission. Reflecting on the return of our outdoor installations, it is my hope that this information aids your work and enriches your knowledge of art in a larger context.