G erman retailer Erivan Haub and his wife Helga honeymooned in the Pacific Northwest during

the 1950s and fell in love with the area so much they decided to start a family here. The longstanding connection between Tacoma and the Haub family has led to the biggest gift in Tacoma Art Museum’s history. The new 16,000-square-foot museum wing along Pacific Avenue holds one of the largest American West art exhibits in the nation. Curator Laura Fry guided us through it wearing her red cowboy boots, adding great insight and fun facts about the surrounding art.

T H E M O S T W A N T E D M U S E U MT A C O M A ’ S N E W

A M E R I C A N W E S T

C O L L E C T I O N I S

A H U G E D R A W

BY HALEY HAMILTON

PHOTOS BY RACHEL COWARD

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When you walk into the gallery, a sculpture by Alexander Phimister Proctor of a cowboy at the Pendleton Roundup greets you. After posing for Proctor, the cowboy was arrested for stealing horses. The scandalous act made it difficult for Proctor to find a home for his art, but today it makes it even more interesting.

The Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington has been used on the U.S. dollar for more than a century. What better state for ole cherry-tree-choppin’ George to find a home? Fun fact: Washington reportedly was really into interior design.

Cubism in Western American art? Who knew? Ed Mell painted the landscape of the American West with geometric shapes.

The artfully designed galleries are made with Richlite, an eco-friendly material made of paper that is manufactured by Tacoma-based Richlite Company.

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Bill Schenck, a friend of the late artist Andy Warhol, captured the often-one-sided storytelling of the Western cowboy in Hollywood with his pop art-inspired painting.

The neon-colored buffalo by John Nieto shakes up the common misconception that all American West art only uses only shades of dust and dry red clay.

The TAM signature pops of red greet you as you walk in the expansive new lobby, perfect for a private party or enjoying a scenic view of the Sound and Mount Rainer.

There is an audio guide for the new exhibit narrated in part by Western cinema legend Clint Eastwood.

The Haub family donated 295 works that will stay with the museum permanently. The new exhibit features 130 of

those pieces and is open until November. TAM is scheduled

to open a Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit in the new wing in

March featuring more than 20 original O’Keeffe paintings.

TAM is open 10am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday and every

third Thursday of the month from 10am-8pm. Adult

admission is $9 and $25 for families. On third

Thursdays, admission is free! tacomaartmuseum.org

No detail was overlooked in designing the new wing. Haub curator Laura Fry debated between multiple paint samples before finding the perfect shades to complement the art.

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