Downtown Bellevue Makes Way for Arts Festivals This Weekend

Make way for the arts this weekend, as a trio of Bellevue arts events -- the Bellevue Arts Museum ARTSfair, the 6th Street Fair and the Bellevue Festival of Arts -- come to the streets of downtown Bellevue.

More than 300,000 people have attended during the arts weekend in recent years, according to the city of Bellevue. The events start Friday July 26 and run through Sunday July 28.

Bellevue ARTSfair

Sponsored by the and the Bellevue Arts Museum ARTSfair (www.bellevuearts.org/fair) features 300 juried artists showing and selling drawings/pastels, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal work, mixed media, paint, photo, printmaking, sculpture, wearable art and wood. 

The Bellevue ARTSfair includes the Carol Duke Artist Awards of Excellence Walking Tour on Friday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. and free admission to the Bellevue ArtsMuseum. Visitors also can take part in artist Mandy Greer's installation, "Mater Matrix Mother and Medium."

Other features include live glass blowing demonstrations and KIDSfair.

Where: Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 and Bellevue Square, Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street.

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Website: http://www.bellevuearts.org/fair/

The 6th Street Fair 

The Bellevue Downtown Association will host The 6th Street Fair (www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/sixth_street) at the corner of NE 6th Street and 106th Avenue NE, near the Bellevue Galleria.

More than 130 artists will showcase their sculpture, jewelry, home décor, wood and glass work, fabrics and plenty of food booths. The 6th Street fair includes live music, with jazz, blues and rock musicians performing onstage.

Where: Bellevue Galleria, 550 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: http://www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/sixth_street/

Bellevue Festival of the Arts

The Bellevue Festival of the Arts (www.Bellevuefest.org) will feature the work and crafts of more than 200 artists, craftspeople and musicians in the in the Cost Plus World Market parking lot (10300 NE Eighth St.).

The Bellevue Festival of the Arts is produced by the Craft Cooperative of the Northwest and is organized by artists. The festival donates a portion of its proceeds to local and international charities, including Fare Start, Education at Elevation  and Solar Cookers International.

Where: Cost Plus World Market, 10300 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,  and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: http://www.bellevuefest.org/

What's your favorite part of Bellevue Arts Weekend? Tell us in the comments.