Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Virginia Paquette. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Millennium Garden, 2000

Virginia Paquette
American (born 1947, died 2022)

Location: Bellevue College, Bellevue

About the Artwork

Millennium Garden is a sculptural and environmental installation by artist Virginia Paquette. It is located in a central courtyard at Bellevue College. It is comprised of benches surrounding a circular mosaic. This piece acts as a gathering place for the college's community. The artist notes that she designed the artwork as a celebration of the new Millennium and "the importance of education as a bridge to that new era." The design features the recurring motif of an arc. This motif symbolizes the passage of time and our connections to the future. One of the benches is engraved with quotations stating the importance of education, creativity, and a respect for nature.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Bellevue College.

About the Artist

The late Seattle-based artist Virginia Paquette created paintings and conceptual public art installations. She stated that the primary urge in her work is "to make marks, images, symbols that will communicate to you a message, feeling, visual stimuli that may be pleasing or thought-provoking."
Paquette received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1976 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1978, both in painting, from the University of Washington in Seattle.