Since June 1, the City of Tacoma has partnered with local glass artists to hide 1,000 handcrafted medallions throughout Pierce County as part of a regional art hunt experience. Daily clues are shared through Visit Tacoma Pierce County’s Instagram story, helping participants track down hidden pieces across the community.
Known as Art of the Game, the hunt runs through July 13 and features soccer-themed medallions and glass orbs hidden in parks, viewpoints, cafés, and local gathering spaces, including businesses such as Doyle’s Public House.
The project celebrates Tacoma’s long-standing glass art tradition while also recognizing the Indigenous homelands of the region, including those of the Puyallup people. Featured throughout the artwork are Lushootseed words connected to place and identity, including caləłali (“place of lakes”) and taqʷuʔmaʔ, the origin of the name Tacoma. These language elements acknowledge the enduring presence of Indigenous communities whose histories, cultures, and stories remain deeply rooted in this land.
For those participating in the hunt, organizers encourage respectful exploration of the region. While official guidelines remain limited, community art hunts often follow a few shared principles: take only one piece if you find one, respect private property, avoid disturbing natural areas, and leave spaces cleaner than you found them.
The project also arrives during a time of increased regional attention surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Puyallup Tribe has played a visible role in these efforts through sponsorship and community engagement initiatives that highlight the cultural significance of the region. Programs such as the Sea & Win app, along with events like Art of the Game, reflect a growing effort to celebrate local art, culture, small businesses, and the stories connected to the land.
Seattle is scheduled to host six FIFA World Cup matches this summer, beginning with Belgium versus Egypt that happened on June 15 and will be continuing through a Round of 16 match on July 6. As visitors and residents explore the region during the tournament, projects like Art of the Game offer an opportunity to engage with the area’s creative traditions while learning more about the Indigenous and cultural histories that continue to shape the Pacific Northwest.
