Dionne Bonner: painting in Tacoma

Dionne Bonner creates paintings and public murals in Tacoma, including work at South Tacoma Library and Tollefson Plaza.

About Dionne Bonner

Dionne Bonner's Tacoma practice spans painting, portraiture and community mural projects. Her Hilltop Stories exhibition connects paintings with her family's ties to the neighborhood, while her public artworks draw on conversations with local residents.

Bonner studied at the Art Institute of Seattle and The Evergreen State College. Her public work includes the Black Lives Matter mural at Tollefson Plaza and In Loving Memory at Eastside Community Center. The latter developed through interviews and workshops with the Eastside community.

Selected work

Black Lives Matter Mural Project

2022

A collaborative mural on the Tollefson Plaza steps. Bonner led the participating Tacoma artists, with community workshops, surveys and handprints contributing to its design.

In Loving Memory

A memorial mural at Eastside Community Center honoring young people lost to gun violence. Its design grew from Bonner's work with neighborhood families and residents.

Public work

South Tacoma Library Mural · Tacoma Public Library, South Tacoma Branch, 2023
Lateral Force · Tollefson Plaza
Interconnections · Hilltop, 2021
In Loving Memory · Eastside Community Center

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Media Arts and Community Archives, The Evergreen State College (2021)
Associate of Arts, Graphic Design and Painting, The Art Institute of Seattle (1993)

Awards and recognition

Jane’s Fellowship, The Russell Family Foundation
Merit Scholarship, The Art Institute of Seattle (1992)
Certificate of Merit, The Art Institute of Seattle (1992)
Certificate of Appreciation, The African American Museum (1995)

Dionne Bonner