You read correctly. For a limited time (1 to 2 months), The Melon will be offering advertising FREE OF CHARGE on our website.

What’s the catch? There is no catch whatsoever, except that The Melon (specifically I, Electric Elliot) maintains full authority in accepting and denying those we wish to consort with.

You have the best opportunity of being accepted if:

• You are a local business
• You are a non-profit
• You are supporting education in some way
• You are cool
• You give us money or some other service in return
• You can impress us

How do I apply to advertise on The Melon?

Send an email to themelon@themelononline.com with the following information:

1. Name
2. Company
3. Contact info (phone number, location, email, etc.)
4. A few sentences about your organization
5. A 250 by 250 pixel jpeg ad
6. A hyperlink for your ad

Yup, that’s all. We’ll let you know if you’re accepted or denied without explanation!!! The application deadline is March 11th.

Artist’s Statement:

Arriving in Tacoma a few years ago, I chose not to unpack my art supplies.  No watercolors, no mosaics.  No craft projects.  I wanted only my camera.

This action stopped other distractions and allowed me to solely concentrate on photography.  And photography became a wonderful way to learn Tacoma and the Puget Sound areas.  My camera became great company on my walks helping me to look carefully and engage with what’s before me.

Another influence on my work has been the combination of digital cameras, software programs and online photographic websites.  These developments created a fast work flow for photography.  I can take shots, upload them onto my computer for post-processing and upload them onto websites within minutes.  The feedback I gain from these websites is both encouraging and immensely helpful to me.  Viewing other photographer’s work shows me how others have handled light and composition – the twin champions of good photography.  It challenges me to improve and encourages me to get behind my lens to think, learn and shoot.

As I’ve gathered images worthy of display, the City of Tacoma, through their artslistserve site, has informed me about local opportunities for presenting my work.  I’ve had my work purchased twice by Pierce County for their public art collection.  I’ve shown my work at juried shows at the Proctor Art Fest and at Franke Tobey Jones.  I’ve been part of Art at Work Art Slams and with the Proctor Art Walk.  My work is also featured on tourist websites for Tacoma, the Olympic Peninsula and in San Diego.

The City of Tacoma also offered me a wonderful opportunity to organize their Photo Safaris. Safaris are a photo event in which locations, not normally accessible to the general public, are presented for a few hours for local photographers to come and shoot.  A few weeks following the shoot, I display everyone’s work in the Mayor’s Gallery at City Hall.  During past safaris, we’ve climbed the clock tower of old City Hall; explored the tower and abandoned rooms of the old Armory; and enjoyed the spectacular view from the bell tower at First Presbyterian Church.  Recently, we toured the three theaters that make up the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.

Thank you for taking time with this site.  I thank Elliot Trotter, videographer and creator of this site, for selecting me as a featured artist.  He’s a good listener who engaged me in interesting conversation making my time on the other side of the lens enjoyable.  If you would care to visit my photo site, you may at:

www.flickr/photos/maybelline/

All my photos are for sale. You may contact me at:  Sharon@Quietmusic.com

Best,

Sharon Styer

Gallery:

Want to show your work at the Sweet-Spot? Email thesweetspot@themelononline.com.

The Melon and The Sweet-Spot Gallery are proud to present the work of our premier artist Ellen Miffit. Ellen has kindly supplied a detailed biography and slides of her fantastic work.  In addition, you’ll find two videos which offer greater perspective on Ellen and her art.

Read More >>

Here yee, here yee! The Melon is most pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Golden Melon Awards.  As we’ve stated, the GMA’s are meant to reward those outstanding Melon contributors and fans for their participation in our kick ass community.

Interview of the Year:

Robert “The Traveller” (Jesse) Hill

Who would have thought that such a bizarre and polarizing figure would provide such entertainment and opportunity to challenge the status quo? The Melon did, that’s who.  In the summer of 2006, Chris “The Wedge” Van Vecthen sent a couple emails Electric Elliot’s way noting the presence of Robert Hill prior to the state of our radio show on KUPS, we knew and interview had to be obtained. After unsuccessfully locating a phone number or Hill’s physical address (how do you find a “Traveller”?) it was Tacoma City Councilmember Marylin Strickland who handed us his digits after a recording.

The Melon went on to interview Robert twice. Once when he was running for Tacoma City Council, and again when he was running for Pierce County Sheriff. Don’t know who this guy is yet? Check out the winning interviews: Audio (city council). Video (sheriff).

Honorable Mention:

Interview with Sen. Patty Murray

Interviews with Tim Eyman – 1, 2

Melonite of the Year:

R.R. Anderson

Without the support and encouragement of The Melon’s first fan, R.R. Anderson, it’s possible that we’d all be jobless, poor and living in our own filth…wait a second. Truthfully, The Melon has been honored to receive the off contribution of Tacomics, commentary and such selfless bolstering from a truly talented and genuine individual and friend.  Three cheers!

Honorable Mention:

Glynnis Kirchmeier

Jen Drake

marumaruyopparai

Hartman Award:

“Separation No Longer” by Chris Van Vechten

&

“Guess What? Undervaluing the Environment Causes Problems” by Glynnis Kirchmeier

Named after our first esteemed guest, President of the Tacoma Education Association Darrick Hartman, the Hartman Award commends an article with the most educational value.  This year, we have two winners: Chris Van Vechten’s piece “Separation No Longer”which chronicles the relevance of the separation of church and state, contemporary religion’s affect on government and the founding of America and Glynnis Kirchmeier’s “Guess What? Undervaluing the Environment Causes Problems” which discusses the realities of neglecting the environment.

Honorable Mention:

“Artificial Intelligence Takes a Big Step Forward” by Walker Lindley

“Ground Noise and Static” by Joe La Sac

“Food Crisis” by Walid Zafar

The nominations are in and now it’s your turn to vote for the winners! The deadline for votes is December 28th, 2008 at 10am. Winners will be announced on January 3rd, 2008. (Note: Nominations in a given category were limited to one per person.) Please, one vote per person.

The nomination deadline for the Golden Melon Awards is December 1st.  The Golden Melon Awards are meant to reward those outstanding Melon contributors and fans.

As mentioned, submit a nomination by entering a comment or emailing goldenmelon@thmelononline.com. Nominees will be announced in early December and the awards will be given out on January 3rd, 2009.

You can nominate for the following categories:

• GOLDEN CONTRIBUTOR (Contributor of the year.)
• INTERVIEW OF THE YEAR (Best interview of the year. Both podcasts and videos qualify.)
• MELONITE OF THE YEAR (For outstanding Guest Contributions or Commenting.)
• THE HARTMAN AWARD (Article/piece with most educational value. Named after our first guest on Melon Radio Darrick Hartman.)
• THE SOUND AWARD (Given to an article with outstanding local (Sound Area) coverage.)
• THE SPIT-SEED AWARD (Most hilarious, weird or insane article/piece or figure relating to The Melon.)

What better way to celebrate all the things we give thanks to than with money.

Does this sound like you? “I have tons of cash-money but no where to donate it to.” If you answered yes, then check out our supporters page and give the gift of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ this thanksgiving. If you do, The Melon will make you a part of our supporters page for an entire year. Impress your friends, you dog, your myspace buddies.  Give the gift of Melon this Thanksgiving!

…Whatever it was worth a try.

The Sweet-Spot, The Melon’s revolutionary online gallery is announcing the deadline for its first show, opening in January.

The deadline for submissions is Monday December 8th, 2008.

Our first virtual show is scheduled to open Monday January 5th, 2009, so make with the art.

What does The Sweet-Spot mean by art? We mean everything visual. Photography, paintings, pottery, jewelry, tattoo art, even film. In other words, submit anything that could feasibly appear on our online gallery.

Submission information.

UP WITH ART!

This Saturday, some of us from The Melon and friends, drove up to Seattle to march in an Anti-Proposition 8 Rally. Here’s some of the footage we captured:

January 2009 marks the first year of The Melon’s online magazine and to commemorate such an auspicious occasion, we’re pleased to announce the 1st Annual Golden Melon Awards. This is an opportunity to reward those outstanding Melon contributors and fans.

The Melon is now accepting nominations for the following categories. Submit a nomination by entering a comment or emailing goldenmelon@thmelononline.com. Nominees will be announced in early December and the awards will be given out on January 3rd, 2009. If you have category suggestions, as well, please forward those.

• GOLDEN CONTRIBUTOR (Contributor of the year.)
• INTERVIEW OF THE YEAR (Best interview of the year. Both podcasts and videos qualify.)
• MELONITE OF THE YEAR (For outstanding Guest Contributions or Commenting.)
• THE HARTMAN AWARD (Article/piece with most educational value. Named after our first guest on Melon Radio Darrick Hartman.)
• THE SOUND AWARD (Given to an article with outstanding local (Sound Area) coverage.)
• THE SPIT-SEED AWARD (Most hilarious, weird or insane article/piece or figure relating to The Melon.)

Nominations are due by December 1st.