The Transportation and Community Development departments jointly led a project to install a decorative pavement treatment celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride at the intersection of 102nd Avenue Northeast and Northeast First Street. The artwork was unveiled in June of 2024.
About the artwork and artist
In December 2023, Esmeralda Vasquez was selected as the artist for this project after an open call for local artists. Esmeralda is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and muralist based in Bellevue. Her experience as a Latinx/LGBTQ+ artist from the Yakima Valley has inspired her drive to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. All of her work is made with purpose and intention. Esmeralda’s passion and ambition have led her on a growing path of creative projects within her community. She has worked on collaborations with multiple nonprofit organizations such as Pro-Choice Washington, Urban Artworks, the Feels Foundation and the Museum of Flight.
The artwork, titled The Love Between, contains two large color-blocked hands depicted in purple and blue, with red nails. The hands are mirroring each other, one above and one below. They are positioned towards each other as if they are each offering something to the other. In the space between the hands, there is a long and twisted stem in two tones of green. The stem is also mirrored as it flows its way through the center and wraps around the fingers of each hand. Along the stem are eight small flowers. The first six flowers follow the order of the rainbow, and the seventh and eighth flowers are in the colors of the trans and non-binary flags.
This whole design can be viewed as a symbol of growth and strength. The twists and turns that come with navigating life, especially as a queer individual, are represented in the two-toned green stem. The hands are meant to be a leading focal point of this artwork because of their size and gentle gesture. The colors of the hands are a nod to the bisexual flag — pink, purple and blue. This design is also intentionally mirrored from top to bottom and side to side, as it felt important for it to work from any angle of the park, at street level or from up above. The artwork shares a beautiful message of inclusion and diversity that can be translated to the viewer no matter their age, identity or culture. Parks have a unique way of bringing people together from all walks of life. This artwork is an extension of that ideology and serves as a reminder that community is everything.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the city installing an LGBTQIA+ pride intersection?
The artwork serves as a visible symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting inclusivity and appreciation for diversity in Bellevue. The LGBTQIA+ community has faced, and continues to face, exclusion and silencing, and we want to make it clear that Bellevue is a welcoming and safe space.
How was the design of the intersection chosen?
A review panel selected the artist from an open call to local artists. The review panel consisted of local community leaders, business owners, arts professionals, Arts Commissioners and Bellevue residents. The artist conducted research and community outreach to inform the design.
What precedent is there for installing a decorative intersection?
Many other cities have installed a variety of decorative crosswalks or intersections. The City of Bellevue also recently received a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that includes funding to further explore new aesthetically treated crosswalks.
Are there plans for future decorative pavement treatments, including decorative crosswalks?
The city will further explore aesthetically treated crosswalks, including analyzing their impact on the safety of people walking and rolling, through a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the US Department of Transportation.
Is this a temporary or permanent installation?
This artwork is temporary. The thermoplastic material that the artwork is constructed from has a limited lifespan based on road conditions, such as traffic and weather.
What else does the city do to support the LGBTQIA+ community?
Some of the ways the city supports the LGBTQIA+ community include:
- The city holds events annually in June to recognize Pride Month.
- Bellevue Police Department partners with local businesses on its Safe Place program, which designates locations in Bellevue as safe locations for individuals to visit if they feel they have been or are a victim of anti-LGBTQIA crimes, including harassment.
- The Bellevue Police have an LGBTQIA+ liaison officer who promotes partnerships between the department and the LGBTQIA+ community.
- The city’s Diversity Advantage Team works to promote equity, inclusion, opportunity and cultural competency for all members of Bellevue’s community.
- The city recognizes Transgender Day of Remembrance in November.
- All city staff go through a four-hour long training on recognizing privilege and interrupting microaggressions.
- The city has a set of internal policies and educational materials providing guidance on using and respecting personal pronouns.