An Artist Reception to welcome Artist Sharon Styer to Harlequin will take place on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 5:30 – 6:30pm in the State Theater Lobby. All are welcome! Light refreshments will be served.

MEET THE ARTIST

ARTIST STATEMENT

Soon after moving to Tacoma in 2006, I had the great good fortune of running the Photo Safari program for the City of Tacoma. Armed with the power of the City I could gain access to any location that I wanted to lead a group of photographers on a photo shoot. At that time, there were a lot of broken dreams in Tacoma, which showed up as abandoned buildings. Except for graffiti artists, no one had been inside some of the buildings for years. These intriguing places became my destinations. Unlocking doors to empty dusty rooms with no electricity made even the light through gritty windows feel abandoned. These places became my photographic theme which I called The Night Watchman.

I added to my collection of abandonment by driving around Tacoma in the evenings searching out eerie lights down empty streets and alleyways. I found solace in these dark, beautiful places.

In 2011, I received the Tacoma Artist Initiative grant (TAIP) which lead to a solo show of The Night Watchman at Fulcrum Gallery in Tacoma. I printed the images on aluminum. On each image I attached two mini lights as if they were street lights reflecting down on the images. The gallery was dark – no lights were on other than these small lights on the photos.

In honor of Deathtrap now playing at Harlequin, I present once again, The Night Watchman. I have added a few images to this show. A few photos of Tacoma’s Gritty City Sirens, a burlesque group. And, of course, a few of my collages that tip into this dark theme.

Visit Sharon’s website at Sharon-styer.com, or contact her over email at sharon@sharonstyer.com or via phone at 253.332.6816.

Welcome, Sharon!