Making the Emerald City Even Greener

By: Jason Edward Kaufman

January 2007

SEATTLE—Art lovers have a new destination. The landscaped Olympic Sculpture Park opening

Richard Serra, "Wake," 2002-03.

January 21 was created by the Seattle Art Museum to display some two dozen artworks, including a commissioned fountain by Louise Bourgeois, a massive serpentine piece by Richard Serra, a stainless-steel tree by Roxy Paine and red stabile “Eagle” by Alexander Calder.

Named for the Olympic Mountains whose snowy peaks often are visible across Elliott Bay, the 9-acre park’s broad lawns and native plantings extend from the city, slope toward the water’s edge, crossing a four-lane roadway and a sunken railroad bed. A café and event space with an adjoining plaza and amphitheater for movies and performances welcomes visitors at the entrance pavilion.

The $85-million budget for the new park—which includes a $20-million endowment—was part of a $180-million campaign, which also will be used for expansion of the museum’s downtown facility to open in May, and renovation of the affiliated Asian Art Museum that will begin in 2008. For more information, call 205.654.3100.