Students to present ideas for public artwork downtown

Earlier this quarter, the City of Bellingham invited visiting Western Washington University art instructor Werner Klotz and 39 Western art students to submit six separate proposals for a master plan for a major public artwork at Whatcom Waterway Park.

Students will present the fruits of their work to the City of Bellingham at Bellingham City Hall Council Chambers on March 10 from 3 to 5 p.m.

For the past two months, Klotz and his History of Site Specific Art students at Western have been working with the city to design an exciting art installation for Bellingham’s new waterfront park. They are working as if they are already fully-fledged, professional public artists, with a project budget that COB has allocated of up to $200,000.

Park and Recreation Director Leslie Bryson said the city is interested in working with Klotz’s students over the next two years to develop public art ideas and possibilities and integrate them into the entire waterfront development scheme, from Maritime Heritage Park to Boulevard Park.

Klotz and Bryson believe the project can be an exciting professional learning opportunity for students, both now and in the future.

This isn't the first time Klotz has brought Western students and the city together for public work. In March of last year, his students presented master plans for the planned Cornwall Beach Park, with student teams coming up with public art proposals for the Walkway Over The Water site.