Photo Credit listed left to right: © Wendy Red Star, © Wendy Red Star, © Kehinde Wiley, Preston Wadley; Photo: Winifred Westergard

The Bellevue Arts Museum is a hub of creativity, culture, and art in Bellevue, Washington. With a rich history, diverse exhibitions, and innovative programs, the museum is a must-visit for art lovers and enthusiasts alike. Whether you're a local resident or a traveler, you'll find something to appreciate and enjoy here.

This year, the Bellevue Arts Museum is gearing up for two exciting exhibitions that are sure to captivate by offering a unique perspective on race, identity, and the history of contemporary art. Read more to learn about the Abstract Truth by Preston Wadley and Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation exhibitions and what you can expect from each.

The Bellevue Arts Museum: A Hub of Culture and Art

The Bellevue Arts Museum has been serving the local community for decades. As a public forum for contemplating, appreciating, and discussing visual culture, the museum has a mission to work with audiences, artists, makers, and designers to understand our shared experience of the world. With a commitment to excellence, the museum has earned a reputation for hosting some of the best exhibitions in the country.

Abstract Truth by Preston Wadley

February 25 - October 8, 2023

Abstract Truth is a thought-provoking exhibition that explores the themes of race, identity, local history, and the history of photography. It features art books and photographs by Preston Wadley, who is a professor emeritus of Fine Arts at Cornish College of the Arts and a beloved art educator. His incorporation of photography into book arts is both technically unique and conceptually rich, and he is a philosopher at heart. This exhibition will be Wadley's most comprehensive solo exhibition to date and opens at Bellevue Arts Museum on February 25, 2023.

Wadley's work is evidence of change, of historical revision and reflection on the connection to what has already been and an ever-evolving present. He encourages viewers to engage with his work on more than just a visual level. Each book tells a story, and he wants you to listen. "Abstract thinking is the ability to understand concepts that are real, such as truth, freedom or anxiety, but are not directly tied to physical objects and experiences. In other words, abstract thinking is the ability to absorb information and make connections to an expanded world," says Wadley. "A primary goal of my art is to catalyze this type of intellectual activity as one engages the work."

This exhibition is sure to receive a lot of attention and is a must-visit for art lovers.

Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

March 25 - August 20, 2023

Strange Weather is a contemporary art exhibition that explores the relationships and boundaries between bodies and the environment. Co-organized by UC Santa Cruz Institute of the Arts and Sciences director Dr. Rachel Nelson and Professor Jennifer González, Visual Studies, Strange Weather will be on view in the 3rd-floor galleries at Bellevue Arts Museum from March 25 through August 20, 2023.

The artworks in Strange Weather span five decades, from 1970-2020, and include works by some of the most influential artists in the United States today, including Lorna Simpson, Edgar Heap of Birds, Kehinde Wiley, Carlos Amorales, Kiki Smith, Hung Liu, Julie Mehretu, Leonardo Drew, Joe Feddersen, Wendy Red Star, and Alison Saar, among others. "For Strange Weather, we selected artworks from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation with climate change weighing heavily on our minds," says Dr. Nelson. "While this is certainly not a didactic exhibition, living through wildfires and drought motivated us to explore the impressive collections of over 16,000 objects for the different aesthetic approaches artists use to illuminate the histories, experiences, and socio-political contexts that lead to this moment."

Visit Bellevue Arts Museum this Year

The Bellevue Arts Museum is a dynamic cultural hub that offers a wide range of exhibitions and events to visitors. The Preston Wadley Abstract Truth and Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation exhibitions are two examples of the museum's commitment to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking works of art. By offering such exhibitions, the Bellevue Arts Museum provides a space for visitors to engage with the world around them and broaden their perspectives. Whether you're a long-time art lover or a newcomer to the scene, the Bellevue Arts Museum is well worth a visit.

FAQs

What is the Bellevue Arts Museum?

The Bellevue Arts Museum is a public forum that provides opportunities for visitors to appreciate and discuss visual culture. It works with artists, makers, and designers to create exhibitions that showcase the shared experiences of the world.

When will the Preston Wadley Abstract Truth exhibition be on display?

The Abstract Truth exhibition by Preston Wadley will be on display from February 25, 2023, to October 08, 2023.

Who is Preston Wadley?

Preston Wadley is a Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at Cornish College of the Arts. He is a renowned art educator and an established member of the local artistic scene. His work incorporates photography into book arts and is both technically unique and conceptually rich.

What is the Strange Weather exhibition about?

The Strange Weather exhibition is a showcase of contemporary artworks that explore the relationships and boundaries between bodies and the environment. It includes works by some of the most influential artists in the United States and spans five decades, from 1970 to 2020.

When will the Strange Weather exhibition be on view?

The Strange Weather exhibition will be on view from March 25, 2023, to August 20, 2023.