Promoting and honoring local artists, Creative Forces Gifts & Sundries is celebrating five years in business. Owner Carolyn Osborne believes that people come back to Creative Forces because they enjoy the variety, they know the importance of local and they know that she loves promoting the art of every one of her artists.
“They also know that they don’t have to ‘check’ to see if it’s local,” adds Osborne. “If it’s in Creative Forces, it’s 100 percent local. I believe that people who come back to the shop enjoy the ‘relationship’ that we establish. They know I’m a real person, realizing a longtime dream. Passion is important!”
Located in Tacoma’s Hotel Murano, the shop opened featuring 12 artists. Now it features 63, with most of the original artists still showcased there. “I have known artists, artists have found me, and I have found them,” recalls Osborne. “One artist, Nola Tresslar, had posted a piece on Facebook and I loved it, so I found more information on her, called her, and it turns out she lives within walking distance of my home!”
The art ranges from textiles to paintings to leather to blown glass. On the third Thursday of every month, the shop hosts an Art & Wine Night from 5 to 9 p.m. “People often forget what they came looking for once they step inside and see all the art,” Osborne says.
“I always wanted to open a gallery to feature my work as well as promote local artists. Not the artists that are famous and have big money behind them. I’m talking about the amazing, talented people that walk among us. Those are the ones often overlooked because of the lack of places that show local work. They are incredible people with a gift and amazing energy.”
No big changes are coming to Creative Forces anytime soon—Osborne will simply continue to feature local artists, as well as her own art. “I have watched Creative Forces grow in the number of artists,” she says. “And most importantly I have watched as more and more local people are becoming aware of our existence.” by Jordan Marie McCaw
Creative Forces Gifts & Sundries
1320 Broadway, Tacoma
253.227.8871