Discovering Downtown Bellevue's Best Public Art

A walk around Downtown Bellevue abounds with public art installations, but how many people take time to stop for a closer look? Unbeknownst to many, the local art scene thrives between high rise buildings, on street corners, and among green spaces. By slowing down and appreciating the creative minds that nurture the heart of the community, locals and visitors alike can grow more connected to the landscape through the stories told by each art piece. For those craving some time spent in an "open-air gallery", here is a DIY art walk through the heart of the city.

Skanska Mural -- Baso Fibonacci

Long before the time of skyscrapers and paved roads, the Suquamish tribe lived where Bellevue now stands. Local artist Baso Fibonacci sought to pay homage to the landscape that existed before Downtown was developed into a “modern city of glass, steel, and cement.” The mural depicts native plant and animal life through a “calming contrast of colors…as a respite to the harsh nature of the city”. Baso’s work can be found all over King County, highlighting the joys and tragedies that exist among a diverse society with ever-changing needs.

Heads Sculpture -- Unknown

Directly outside of The Eight's artfully designed space lies a bold formation of two heads sitting directly across from one another -- one faceless, the other with eyes closed. They are each enveloped in vivid primary colors and patterns, brightening an already alluring space. Walking by, the piece instantly catches the eye and the beholder is invited to consider the relationship between the two heads and the meaning behind the piece.

Piloti -- Marc Fornes

One of Bellevue's most iconic pieces of public art makes the gem of Downtown Park even more spectacular. Situated at the east entrance of the park, this towering structure is inspired by the intersection of technology, nature, and innovation that makes Bellevue so unique. Its fluted columns give way to a canopy of umbrellas that diffuse the daytime’s natural light. The statue is both elegant and inviting, making it the perfect stop for any moment.

The Love Between -- Esmeralda Vasquez

Washington-born artist Esmeralda Vasquez created this piece by examining her identity as a Latinx and LGBTQ+ artist. Drawing directly from these experiences, Vasquez's design features flowers blossoming between two mirrored hands in the colors of various pride flags. The floral motifs symbolize the growth and strength that is nurtured when people uplift one another. The City of Bellevue unveiled this work during 2024's pride month as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity.

De Sol a Sol -- Iván Carmona

Taken from a Puerto Rican phrase referring to traditional country ways of working "from sunrise to sunset", De Sol a Sol is an invitation into another cultural world. The abstract work is eye-catchingly bright and is covered in ridges reminiscent of trowel markings from hands-on work. Its vibrant color and unusual angles draw the viewer in to a form of modernism that fits in perfectly with Downtown Bellevue's atmosphere.

Groves and Stones -- Julian Watts

Artist Julian Watts’ “Groves and Stones” installation combines abstraction and natural elements with a hint of playfulness. The eight bronze sculptures featured in Downtown’s West Main Plaza were designed using flowing shapes that are meant to be interacted with, each inspired by the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors are encouraged to challenge art norms by playing on, sitting on, and touching these structures, which blend seamlessly into Downtown’s angular architecture.

The Sticken and Heronius One -- Rik and Shelley Muzylowski Allen

These complementary sculptures work in tandem and are the prize of the Grand Connection, conceived by the minds of duo Rik and Shelley. Using natural materials sourced from their home in Skagit Valley, the couple ensured that the octopus and Great Blue Heron stood tall, embodying the sage wisdom of the century-old King Apple Tree whose branches were essential material in their creation. Inspired by both creatures’ essential roles in the Salish Sea, the animals are depicted as graceful, fluid, and reaching, as though the viewer is meant to feel protected by them.