1% for Art
City of Bellingham, Washington
In 2015, the City of Bellingham established a "One Percent for Art" program. The One Percent for Art program requires that one percent of eligible costs of capital improvement projects exceeding $2,000,000 be allocated for artwork.
The inclusion of artwork in public places reinforces the City's status as a regional arts destination, increases quality of life and attracts tourism and visitors to the area.
Use the map below to explore "1% for Art" projects and get project summaries or keep scrolling for more detailed project information.
Cordata/Horton Roundabout
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Bellingham completed the Cordata/Stuart/Horton Safety improvements in May of 2020. The roundabout at Cordata Parkway and Horton Road was identified as an opportunity for artwork by the neighborhood. Funding for this project came from the Cordata/Stuart/Horton safety improvement, Cordata Park phase II and Community Development. The selected sculpture entitled “Bio-Spheres” inspired by nearby fungi is a whimsical mushroom like sculpture. COMPLETED FEBRUARY 2024.
ARTIST: Lin McJunkin and Milo White
TITLE: Bio-spheres
% FOR ARTS FUNDING AMOUNT: $95,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Cordata/Stuart/Horton Safety Improvements , Cordata Park Phase II
Birchwood Underpass Mural
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Bellingham completed an extension, connecting Birchwood Avenue to James Street allowing for improved multi-modal opportunities in this growing area. This stretch of road runs adjacent to the Bay to Baker trail. With increased pedestrian, bike and vehicular traffic, the City has chosen to have a large-scale mural installed under I-5 along this portion of Birchwood Avenue. Funding for this came from the Orchard Drive Extension project. COMPLETED FALL 2023
ARTIST: Sarah Robbins
TITLE: Squalicum Healers
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $70,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Orchard Drive Extension
Design Concepts
Nevada Street Vehicle Barn
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Bellingham is demolishing an existing vehicle barn at Nevada and Virginia Streets and replacing it with a new Operations Barn. This new facility will provide heated vehicle storage, workspace for all the Public Works utility crews and Parks Operations and Natural Resources field staff. Sky/Stream is approximately 248 ft long and 15 ft tall at its widest point. The artwork will be created from kiln-formed architectural glass and steel. COMPLETED SPRING 2023
ARTIST: Milligan Studios
TITLE: Sky/Stream
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $50,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: City Operations Buildings - Public Works
City Operations Buildings
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A new five-story structure will house an additional television studio – to allow video recording of simultaneous City meetings – as well as workspace for certain Parks Operations, Public Works Operations and Natural Resources division staff. The building will be fully electric and built to LEED silver standards . It will include a new electric vehicle charging station, be solar panel-ready, and utilize natural and recycled materials in construction. Public art is incorporated into the Operations Center showing Bellingham and the bay, and art is being solicited for the vehicle barn/storage facility. COMPLETED MARCH 2023
ARTIST: RMC Architects
TITLE: The Journey of Whatcom Creek
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $120,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: City Operations Buildings - Public Works
The Pacific Street Operations Center Is Opening Soon
Cordata Community Park - Gateway Art
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The new Community Park at Cordata is entering into the first phase of construction and development. This first phase includes three key access points into the park along Cordata Parkway. This artwork will provide visual interest to both pedestrians and those navigating Cordata Parkway by car or bicycle. The artwork is intended to be bold and draw people into the park. These three eye catching sculptures will provide the park with distinctive gateways. COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2020.
ARTIST: Andersen Studios
TITLE: Aeon.01, Aeon.02, Aeon.03
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $87,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Community Park at Cordata
Mahogany Ave. Artwork
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: With the development of Mahogany Avenue, located behind Costco, the City recognized it had a unique opportunity for artwork in this expanding area. The North End Regional Pond (a stormwater pond) provides a site for artwork that will capture the interest of nearby residents and passersby. This sculpture is fully exposed during the dry months and partially submerged in water in the wetter months making it an ever-changing piece of art. COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2019.
ARTIST: Building Wellness Lab - Noah Ives
TITLE: Rainflower
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $65,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Mahogany Ave. - North End Regional Pond
Maplewood Ave. Sidewalk Art
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City received a federal Safe Routes to School grant to improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle safety along approximately 3,000 linear feet of W. Maplewood Avenue in the Birchwood Neighborhood. The City hired a mosaic artist to work with the community and incorporate artwork into the new sidewalk that celebrates and promotes neighborhood identity and pride. COMPLETED MAY 2018
ARTIST: Jennifer Kuhns of JK Mosaic
TITLE: Kid Garden, Heron, Eagle
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $25,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: W. Maplewood Ave. Multimodal Improvements
Street light mosaics along Maplewood Avenue, "Kid Garden"
Sidewalk mosaics along Maplewood Avenue, "Heron" and "Eagle"
Acid Ball - Waypoint Park
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The acid ball, a piece of former waterfront industrial equipment, was relocated to Waypoint Park, the City’s newest waterfront destination. It was embellished with glass beads, and lit with LED lighting to transform it into a beacon of light. The glass coating reflects back to sources of light, allowing for a constantly evolving visual experience. COMPLETED MAY 2018
ARTIST: Mutuus Studio
TITLE: Waypoint
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $130,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Waypoint Park at the Waterfront & Granary Ave/Laurel Street Project
Waypoint park
"Waypoint" at night
Water Treatment Plant - Artistic Fence
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Bellingham sought an artist that could create a fence that was both functional and appealing. Given the specific requirements to protect the Water Treatment Plant, Reis Neimi succeeded in achieving both priorities. This fence tells a story about the source of our water and how it evolves into becoming drinkable. COMPLETED NOVEMBER 2018
ARTIST: Ries Niemi
TITLE: Water Cycle Fence
% FOR ART FUNDING AMOUNT: $170,000
RELATED CAPITAL PROJECT: Water Treatment Plant Facility
Mayor Linville (2011-2020) and Artist Ries Niemi
"Water Cycle Fence"
Artist rendering of fence panels
Additional Public Art Information
The City of Bellingham is committed to fostering the arts through inclusion of artwork in public places and currently manages and maintains a collection of over 84 pieces of outdoor public artwork.
