From glassblowing to printmaking, our city is home to a vibrant artist community that loves to give back and support Tacoma Public Schools students. When Stewart Middle School’s librarian, Carinna Tarvin, reached out to Write 253 about finding ways to get her students excited about learning, the literary arts organization was happy to help.  

On Fridays throughout Black History Month, students who come to Project Lit in the library during lunchtime can learn about local Black leaders and history by engaging with books, videos, and using a hand printing press to make unique art prints. 

“I am always trying to think of ways to connect our students with the larger Tacoma community and Write 253’s printmaking project seemed perfect for what we’re doing on our Project Lit Fridays,” Tarvin said. 

Last week, students printed a poster with a quote from Tacoma’s first Black mayor, Harold Moss: “The dream was at hand and everything was urgent.” 

“I learned that Tacoma didn’t have a Black mayor until 1994,” sixth-grader Hadley Hague said. “That wasn’t very long ago!” 

Moss was Tacoma’s first Black City Council member, first Black mayor, and the first Black Pierce County Council member. 

While looking through books about notable figures in Black History, eighth-grader Szariyah Green said learning about Black history and racism is important. 

“It’s important to learn about, I think everyone should learn about it,” she said. “It happened here where we live and still takes place today.”

Write 253’s Executive Director Michael Haeflinger helped students use the press to make their own posters and said the literary arts organization’s mission is to provide meaningful and transformative writing opportunities that cross boundaries and create community for youth in greater Tacoma.

“Tacoma is known for its glass art and printmaking and we wanted to bring this to everyone, especially youth, like Hilltop Artists has done so well with glass art,” he said.

Haeflinger said Write 253 is creating a press lending library where people can borrow a press and supplies to make prints at home and an artist-in-residence program for teen youth ages 15-19.

“These press kits are really easy to use and are great for printers of all skill levels,” he said. "We are really excited to be using these presses in this way.” 

Seventh-grader Alisanna Jaman said using the press was fun and it was cool to see how each print turned out slightly different based on how they rolled the ink or how hard they pressed.

“I hope we get to do this again,” she said.