Bellevue Botanical Garden to Showcase 24 Local Artists, August 26-28
August 22, 2022 - by Sandy Vo
Bellevue Botanical Garden to Showcase 24 Local Artists, August 26-28
Among the flowerbeds and woodlands at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, a variety of 3D garden art from 24 different artists will be taking over the greenery oasis from August 26-28 as part of the 12th Annual Arts in the Garden! The free event features garden art available for purchase, live music, and food trucks for the whole family. Darcy McInnis, communications manager at the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, said Arts in the Garden began in 2010 to help introduce the community to the 53-acre urban refuge but has since become a Bellevue destination.
“The event has become a favorite because the artwork is displayed in the same setting that someone would display it at home. You can actually see how the artwork can beautify your own garden all year round – it’s a unique feature of Arts in the Garden,” McInnis said.
Last year, 9000 people attended the summer event – a record-breaking year.
“The event has grown so much in the last decade. We now have activities around the Garden like food trucks and live music, as well as a larger number of artists working in various mediums including glass, ceramic, copper, concrete, and more.” McInnis said.
Bellevue Botanical Garden is roughly a five-minute drive from Downtown and is now considered a must-see place for those who love the outdoors, need a place to breathe, or want a brief moment away from the skyrises. McInnis said when she first began working at the Garden nine years ago, the average number of annual visitors was 175,000. Now, the Garden sees roughly 400,000 people every year.
“We have a multifaceted approach to educating visitors about the Garden,” McInnis said. “Besides our popular events like Garden d’Lights and Arts in the Garden, we also have volunteer opportunities, classes, and guided tours for those interested in learning more about gardening, horticulture, and the environment. Our website features a phenomenal collection that profiles all the plants in the Garden. Our favorite thing is finding ways to engage with the community in a variety of ways.”
While McInnis does see many Eastside visitors, she said the Garden is visited by people worldwide. In fact, the Bellevue Botanical Garden is rated number one of the things to do in Bellevue on TripAdvisor.
“For somebody coming to Bellevue for a conference or a vacation, people often end up at the Garden,” McInnis said. “An event like Arts in the Garden is a great way to see more visitors because it’s free and all artworks vary in prices, making it accessible for people to plan a trip without a cost barrier.”
“There’s just something special about seeing our Garden fill up with people here to eat, listen to live music, and shop from our artists,” she said. “It’s a magical experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else.”
Entry and parking to Arts in the Garden are free; tickets not required. Complete 2022 artists directory, live music schedule, and more information can be found on their website!
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Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main St
Bellevue, WA 98005
