Art in the Open
Sequim's public art collection has grown steadily over the past two decades, adding sculptures, murals, mosaics, and installations to parks, streetscapes, and trails throughout the community. These works do something that gallery exhibitions, for all their value, can't replicate: they meet people where they already are, turning an ordinary walk through town into an encounter with creative expression.
The public art program reflects a collaboration between Sequim Arts, the City of Sequim, local businesses that commission or host artwork, and individual artists who contribute their vision to shared spaces. Some pieces were funded through grants. Others were donated by artists. A few came about through community art projects that engaged dozens of residents in the making.
Where to Find Public Art
Sequim Civic Center & City Hall
The Civic Center grounds feature several outdoor sculptures in metal and stone, including works by regional sculptors commissioned through the city's percent-for-art program. The small garden adjacent to City Hall hosts a rotating installation that changes annually. Inside, the Civic Center gallery shows work by local artists and Youth Arts program students.
Washington Street & Downtown
Look for a series of mosaic panels embedded in the sidewalk along Washington Street between 2nd and 4th Avenues. These were created during a community arts workshop and depict scenes of Sequim life: lavender harvesting, elk in the valley, the Dungeness Lighthouse. Several downtown businesses have commissioned murals on their exterior walls, adding color and character to the commercial district. The best way to see them all is during the First Friday Art Walk, when evening light catches the murals and the streets are full of people.
Olympic Discovery Trail
The Olympic Discovery Trail, a multi-use path that stretches across the northern Olympic Peninsula, passes through Sequim with several trailside art installations along the way. Sculptures and interpretive panels appear at rest stops and trail junctions, many referencing the natural history and Indigenous heritage of the Dungeness Valley. The trail section between Sequim and the Railroad Bridge Park is especially scenic and well worth a walk or bike ride.
Sequim Bay State Park
The park features nature-inspired sculptures installed along its trails and waterfront areas. These pieces were designed to complement rather than compete with the natural beauty of the shoreline. The combination of salt air, madrone trees, and carefully placed artwork makes the park a contemplative place that rewards slow exploration.
Carrie Blake Community Park
The community garden area of Carrie Blake Park includes decorative elements created by local artists, from mosaic benches to sculpted garden markers. The park also hosts occasional outdoor art events, including plein air painting sessions and temporary installations coordinated with the Plein Air Festival.
Dungeness River Nature Center
At Railroad Bridge Park, the Nature Center area features interpretive art panels about the Dungeness River ecosystem and the region's cultural history. Some of these panels were created in collaboration with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, whose presence on this land predates European settlement by thousands of years.
The Percent-for-Art Program
The City of Sequim maintains a percent-for-art ordinance that allocates a portion of capital construction budgets to public art. This program has funded several of the most visible outdoor pieces in town, including sculptures at the Civic Center and artwork integrated into park infrastructure. The program ensures that public investment in buildings and amenities includes a commitment to cultural expression.
Community Art Projects
Some of the most meaningful public art in Sequim was created by community members rather than individual artists. Mosaic projects, community murals, and collaborative installations have involved school groups, senior center participants, and family workshops organized by Sequim Arts. These projects build community ownership of public spaces while producing artwork that carries personal significance for the people who made it.
Proposing New Public Art
Artists interested in proposing a public art installation in Sequim should contact Sequim Arts at [email protected] or the City of Sequim's Parks & Recreation department. We can provide information about available sites, the city's review process, funding mechanisms, and technical requirements for outdoor installations in our marine climate.
Public art proposals are evaluated based on artistic merit, site appropriateness, durability, maintenance requirements, and community relevance. We encourage proposals that respond to the specific qualities of the Sequim-Dungeness landscape and community.
Self-Guided Walking Tour
A self-guided walking tour of downtown Sequim's public art is available as a printed brochure from our office and at participating downtown galleries. The tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and takes 45 minutes to an hour at a comfortable pace. It's a good complement to a gallery visit or Art Walk evening.