Gardens of Art at Big Rock Garden Park
2900 Sylvan Street, Bellingham, WA 98226
Mailing Address: 3424 Meridian St.
Park tel: (360)676-6985
Contact: George Drake - Head of the Big Rock Garden Sculpture Committee
Tel: (360)734-9757
Fax: (360)647-6367
email: art@gardenart.org
website: www.gardenart.com

In the Northwest Corner of Washington State, just ninty miles north of Seattle is a lovely little gem called Big Rock Garden Park. Located at 2900 Sylvan Street is a beautiful two and one half acre garden that is designated as the cities' sculpture and botanical park. There are twelve permanent sculptures in the park at this time. Each year, from May to October there is annual exhibit to showcase Northwest and International sculpture appropriate for placement in intimate public spaces or private gardens. This show draws artists from all over the US and Canada and usually there are over thirty sculptures in the show. The park is open to the public from dawn to dusk year round. There is no entrance fee. The park is non profit and run by the city of Bellingham and a committee of volunteers. It is the goal of the Big Rock Garden Sculpture Committee to have one hundred permanent sculptures in place over the next ten years.

Some of the Artists that have shown in the garden include:

History of the Sculpture Garden
Founded in 1981 as a commercial sculpture gallery and private nursery.

Sold to the City of Bellingham for a city park in 1993.

The City rented the park to several commercial galleries from 1993-1998.

The Big Rock Garden Sculpture Committee takes over the gallery in October of 1998 and begins to run it as a non profit sculpture park. The park is a beautiful two and a half acre garden that is designated as the city's botanical park and sculpture garden .

The first Annual International Sculpture Exhibit is held in 1999 with over thirty sculptures placed in the park. The goal of the annual exhibit is to showcase sculpture that is appropriate for placement in intimate public spaces or private gardens. It is the desire of the city to acquire some of the works in the exhibit for permanent installation in the park. The opening dedication ceremonies on Mothers Day included a old fashion garden party with music and performances by local groups plus the dedication of several permanent sculptures and awards for community involvement. Over 2000 people were in attendance.

1998-1999 . We restored and installed thirteen permanent sculptures in the park. Late 1999 to 2000 we acquired eight new permanent pieces which brings the total to twenty one. Our goal is one hundred permanent sculptures in the park within the next ten years.

January through the middle of March each year will be the call for art for the Annual International Sculpture Exhibit.

Mothers Day each year will be the opening of the Sculpture Exhibit and the annual garden party with community events and dedications.
  

Shirley Erickson

Lee C. Imonen

Arnie Garborg

Devin Laurence Field

Georg Schmerholz