#tacomatotems

[tacomatalks]

The Welcoming Figure is right next to tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma on Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street. It is 22 feet tall. The Native American woman totem wears a traditional woven Cedar hat, white dress with a Thunderbird design, and her hands are outstretched in a welcoming gesture. It was carved by the Puyallup native artist Shaun Peterson (Qwalsius), and dedicated in September 2010. It's stands as a tribute to the Puyallup Tribe who were the first people to inhabit the area. The land around Tollefson Plaza was once an important village site to the Puyallup tribe. The statue is unamed. It is the unofficial greeter of people coming to Tacoma. Shaun Peterson is a Tacoma print and sculpture artist who is a member of the Puyallup Tribe. ********************************** #Tacoma #253 #GritCity #CityOfDestiny #TacomaWashigton #tacomawa #pnw #VisitTacoma #ExploreTacoma #movetotacoma #GetOutAndEnjoyTacoma #GetToKnowTacoma #TacomaStatues #TacomaTotems #welcomingfigure #TacomaArt #TacomaArts #StayStellarTacoma #StayStellar #LeeHeath (at Tollefson Plaza)