PARKS

Woodland Park Zoo

Brad Rude was in-residence at Woodland Park Zoo to study the animals and to gain an understanding of the zoo's philosophy, working closely with staff from the areas of conservation, education, research and recreation before he came up with his artworks. He completed three cast bronze interactive sculptures mounted on basalt bases.

Artist's Statement: "My work is devoted to expressing the important relationship we have with other animals and the elements of the natural world ... . These sculptures are designed to stimulate participation with zoo visitors. Two of the sculptures consist of vertically placed basalt columns with cast bronze sculptures mounted on top. Mounted to the side is a bronze plate with a relief image on it and rubbing tool designed to allow visitors the opportunity to do a rubbing and create their own art. The small-scale compositions allow the viewer to "see" and "feel" an entire situation at once."

Pioneer Place Park

Pioneer Place Park lies in the heart of Seattle's historic district, Pioneer Square, where settlers first established industry and set up homes near the banks of the Puget Sound. The artwork in Pioneer Place Park acknowledges the area's original inhabitants, members of Northwest Coast Native American tribes, adding a rich visual component to the area's substantial cultural and social history.

Discovery Park

As part of a mid-1990s improvement plan, a visitor center was added to Discovery Park, the largest recreational area in Seattle, situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound. In designing art for the center, artist Bruce Myers created a series of works that addressed the ecology of the park and the Center's overall objectives as a public environmental education facility.

Victor Steinbrueck Park

Two 50-foot cedar totem poles boldly stand in Victor Steinbrueck Park. One is based on traditional Northwest Coast Native American designs and another, the Farmer's Pole, is tapered and uncarved except for a man and woman standing back-to-back at the top. Seattle architect Steinbrueck, along with providing design assistance to the Farmer's Pole, devised the vine motif of the dark green fence that runs along the perimeter of the park.