In Bellevue, Washington, art hangs on walls, dances in the parks, pops off of buildings, and creates extraordinary spaces. As art does. Thanks to the City of Bellevue's enthusiastic support in the arts, the city is transforming into an open-air gallery, where each piece tells a story. As you explore Bellevue on foot, the city's high walkability score mingles with a thoughtful array of installations, murals, sculptures, and modern architecture to spark joy in between shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. Get your cameras out, because these are memories worth capturing.
The Piloti Sculpture
Location: Grand entrance of Bellevue Downtown Park, at Bellevue Way and NE 4th Street
When you spot Piloti, it commands your immediate attention as it guides you to the large green space in the heart of Bellevue's downtown. The picturesque artwork creates a fantastical canopy made of ultra-thin, self-supported aluminum, with a rotunda architecture designed to resist high wind loads, filter natural light during the day, and diffuse lighting at night.
Designed by renowned artist Marc Fornes, who runs the studio THEVERYMANY, this sculpture uses advanced technologies and innovative design to bring together over 6,600 unique panels and 60,000 handmade folds, which are fastened with over 180,000 rivets. With the city's modern skyrises in the background, Piloti tells the story of Bellevue's innovative technology sector blended with the love for natural forms, a smart city immersed in nature.
The Love Between
Location: 102nd Ave NE and NE First Street
Spread across the intersection between Downtown Park and Old Main, in front of beloved local Italian restaurant Carmine's, The Love Between is a piece of artwork created by local Latinx/LGBTQ+ artist Esmeralda Vasquez.
The artwork features two large color-blocked hands mirroring each other, as if they are offering something to one another. In the space between, a long and twisted stem flows through eight small flowers, featuring the colors of the rainbow flag, followed by colors of the trans and non-binary flags.
Nearby, stop for some treats at Third Culture Coffee or Molly Moon's Ice Cream.
Dragon & Phoenix by Coast Salish Artist
Location: Spring District Station Platform Walls
From local artist Louie Gong, two friendly but imposing creatures twist along the new Spring District Station's platform walls to greet 2 Line riders. Paying homage to his Chinese and Nooksack heritage, Louie created a cut metal mural of a dragon to span the eastbound platform wall, and a cut metal mural of a phoenix adorning a feathery motif common in Coast Salish culture on the westbound platform wall.
Look closer, and you'll find a huckleberry that symbolizes bounty with a nod to Louie's Chinese grandfather, and a hummingbird that symbolizes a harbinger of good news from his Nooksack grandmother. Gong is a self-taught artist who was raised by his grandparents in the Nooksack tribal community. He later founded the company Eighth Generation, a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand where 100 percent of the products are Native-designed.
Nearby, visit the Bellevue Brewing Company for beers and brewery grub or check out the Dote Coffee Shop for some artisanal chocolates and specialty coffee.
Public Art Walk
Location: Throughout Bellevue, Washington
There is no better way to explore Bellevue than on foot and following the Downtown Bellevue Art Walk is a great way to see popular spots as well as hidden treasures. People interested in seeing the art can pick up the "ArtMap", courtesy of the Bellevue Arts Commission, that graphically displays how art has become ingrained in the character of downtown. ArtMaps are free and available on the first floor of City Hall and in the information kiosk at Meydenbauer Center on level 2.
Public Art Walk
Downtown Bellevue is roughly 1 square mile, laid out on a grid pattern and easy to navigate. As a result, art walks nearly organize themselves. Just pick a starting point and this guide will show you where all the art is nearby. Pick your direction and set off on your art explorations.
