1. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
If you’ve ever strolled the campus situated well above downtown Bellingham, you can’t miss the intriguing, and sometimes befuddling, artwork placed between buildings. (At least one piece even has its own Twitter handle.) The university’s first sculpture was installed in 1960, and the collection has grown to include 36 “interactive” pieces, including the one pictured here—“Skyviewing Sculpture,” by Isamu Noguchi (1969), that allow people to climb on, over, through and around. Grab a sculpture map and explore on your own—or consider scheduling a tour.
516 High St., Bellingham
360. 650.3000 | wwu.edu
2. BIG ROCK GARDEN PARK
This 2.5-acre city garden park is located in Bellingham’s Silver Beach neighborhood adjoining Lake Whatcom. It includes 37 permanent sculptures by local and international artists. The park is open year-round, dawn to dusk; pets are not permitted. It was originally named Gardens of Art when founded in 1981 and bought by the city in 1993.
2900 Sylvan St.,
Bellingham | cob.org
3. BLAINE PEACE ARCH SCULPTURE GARDEN
In Blaine, at the border crossing between the U.S. and Canada, you will find 40-acre Peace Arch Park, and much of the year it features an international outdoor sculpture exhibition. From May through Oct. 1, the exhibition draws thousands of visitors checking out several dozen pieces by sculptors worldwide. They are displayed amid the gardens flanking the historic arch commemorating peace between Canada and the U.S.
19 A & Second St., Blaine
360.332.8221 | peacearchpark.org
4. SAN JUAN ISLANDS SCULPTURE PARK
This 20-acre sculpture park was founded in 1998. The exhibit changes with rotating artists displaying their works and often offering them for sale. The park has more than 150 sculptures, five trails, a picnic area, and a pond. Visitors and their dogs are welcomed daily to enjoy the park.
9083 Roche Harbor Rd., Friday Harbor
360.370.0035 | sjisculpturepark.com
5. MOUNT VERNON
While better known for its springtime tulips and daffodils, check out the sculptures downtown and throughout the city of Mount Vernon. These sculptures will lead you from the Skagit Station transportation hub to First Street to the Tulip Dance piece at Riverwalk Park. Mount Vernon’s outdoor sculptures will take you on a fun art-filled scavenger hunt throughout the city.
360.336.6215 | mountvernonwa.gov