Bellevue's verdant haven, the Bellevue Botanical Garden, is set to host a thought-provoking art installation this September. "The Lost Bird Project," conceived by artist Todd McGrain, brings large-scale bronze sculptures representing five extinct North American bird species to the garden's Urban Meadow. Visitors can expect the towering figures of the passenger pigeon, Carolina parakeet, Labrador duck, great auk, and heath hen – birds that vanished from the skies by 1932, to inhabit the space for a contemplative year-long stay. "For the Bellevue Botanical Garden, the display reflects our mission and is a catalyst for a year of learning programs focused on conservation and habitat preservation," Gardening Director James Gagliardi stated, as per City of Bellevue press release.
As a mark of respect for these bygone creatures, the garden is coupling the statues' presence with an educational punch. Set to launch with an October shindig that promises dialogue and film. The event will witness a mash-up of art and advocacy. It's all happening on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 2-4 p.m., featuring a free panel with McGrain alongside local artists. Do not neglect a documentary screening replete with a Q&A session; a nominal $5 gets you a seat. Artist McGrain and Nick Bayard of BirdNote will be fielding questions, aiming to marry the visual impact of the statues with compelling conservation conversations.
Since 2012, McGrain's sculptures have traveled across the U.S., visiting museums and nature centers to raise awareness about conservation. Some of these statues are now permanent fixtures in places important to the decline of the birds they represent. These sculptures remind us of our environmental duties, a message that aligns with Bellevue Botanical Garden's focus on nature and conservation throughout the year.
