Artwork copyright Jean Bradbury. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jean Bradbury. The artist Jean Bradbury with her artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2024.

Artwork copyright Jean Bradbury. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2024.

Artwork copyright Jean Bradbury. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2024.

Springtime at Lea Hill, 2024

Jean Bradbury
Canadian (born 1963)

Location: Lea Hill Elementary School, Auburn

About the Artwork

'Spring at Lea Hill' by Jean Bradbury documents and celebrates the springtime native plants and animals found on the school grounds of Lea Hill Elementary School in Auburn, Western Washington. Bradbury hopes that her paintings will help students become familiar with these species, recognize them in the outdoors, and protect them. The imagery includes big leaf maple trees, a pileated woodpecker bird, elderberry bushes, a Douglas squirrel, willow trees, Western sword ferns, salmonberry plants, Western columbine flowers, alder trees, Pacific bleeding hearts (a flowering plant), and more. Bradbury likes to include many small details so that children can discover new things every time they pass the artwork.

The Local Art Selection Committee wanted an artwork that children can understand and digest. They also wanted art that tells a story for everyone.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Auburn School District.

About the Artist

Seattle-based artist Jean Bradbury paints large-scale public paintings. She incorporates natural light in her paintings by use of reflective metallic leaf. Environmental causes and education are central themes in her art. Bradbury graduated from Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1985). She also studied graphic design and illustration at Seattle Central Community College.