Bothell Arts Commission discusses two temporary bridge-art proposals; members favor “fishing frog” but take no vote

At its Jan. 16, 2025 meeting the Bothell Arts Commission reviewed two temporary public-art proposals for the pedestrian bridge at Bothell Landing: a human-scale sculpture nicknamed “fishing frog” and a panel-based morning-glory mural. The commission discussed siting, visibility, materials, branding and permitting; commissioners generally favored the frog design but did not take a formal vote.

The commission opened the discussion after hearing that artist Will Schlaue, a $10,000 grant recipient under the commission’s temporary-arts program, submitted two concept designs for the bridge. One design is a sculptural installation showing a large frog “lounging in a hammock” attached to the bridge joists, described by the presenter as roughly human-sized to fit the ~11-foot span between joists. The sculpture concept would use metal circles welded into a skin-like surface (mild steel, patinated to a green hue) and a stainless-steel-rod hammock welded to a collar bracket that would clamp to the existing bridge structure. The second concept is a layered panel mural that depicts oversized morning-glory flowers and relies on panels and heavy-duty hose-like elements tightened to the bridge to create depth and a silhouette effect visible primarily from one side.

Why it matters: the bridge is a highly visible, frequently visited location that town staff and commissioners described as a potential draw for trail users and visitors. Commissioners debated whether a temporary installation there would support discovery and tourism or whether it would occupy a signature site better reserved for a piece tied to Bothell’s established imagery (some commissioners referenced the city’s crow motif and asked whether the bridge should host a piece that advances that brand). Several commissioners emphasized that the project is temporary and suggested using it as a trial to gather data on public response and how art functions in that exact spot.

Commission discussion focused on three practical topics: (1) siting and sightlines (trail side vs. city side; on the bridge vs. under the bridge), (2) durability and attachment methods (stainless materials, clamp/jo‑bolt systems and how to leave no trace once removed), and (3) the relationship between this grant-funded project and longer-term strategic public-art goals for Bothell Landing and future park projects. Commissioners and staff noted that the artist had consulted with Parks staff and would need structural engineering review and permits from public works before installation.

Concerns and context raised during discussion included: the bridge’s status as a signature location; how the work would read for people arriving on foot, bike or by water; whether the piece would allow popular “selfie” interaction (the two concepts differ in how usable they would be for photos); and the need to consider a more deliberate public-art strategy for future permanent pieces. Staff emphasized that because this is a temporary grant-funded project, the artist has latitude to propose the work and that some potential locations previously asked of private businesses were declined, leaving the bridge as a feasible site that is already constructed and therefore quicker to activate.

Outcome: the commission did not approve or permit an installation at the meeting. Commissioners verbally expressed a clear preference for the frog sculpture over the panel mural and directed staff to continue the review process (structural engineer, permitting and coordination with Parks). No formal motion or vote on design selection was recorded at the meeting.

Next steps and what to watch: staff will follow up with the artist on structural documentation and permit requirements and will report back to the Arts Commission as those steps progress. Commissioners said they intend to treat the installation as a temporary experiment to inform future public-art siting and strategy.