Public Works Grand Opening and Public Art Exhibition
From:
Jacob Larsen, Community Relations Manager
541-647-0696,
jlarsen@bendoregon.gov
Public Works Grand Opening and Public Art Exhibition
The community is invited to an open house celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. on
Thursday, May 14 at the City’s new Public Works Campus at 21051 NE Talus
Place.
Visitors will be allowed to explore the new Public Art collection, get a
behind-the-scenes look at Public Works facilities and equipment, celebrate the
100-year anniversary of the City’s water services and learn how Bend’s great
drinking water is tested. Visitors can purchase and eat dinner at a food cart,
meet the artists behind the public art displayed at the campus, use self-
guided tour maps to see Public Works buildings and the
W ater Conservation Demonstration
Garden and find hands-on fun for
the family! Tours of the artwork will be led throughout the evening at 4:30,
5:00, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Per City Code, the City of Bend dedicates 1% of costs of improvement projects
to the public art. In partnership with Art in Public
Places
and Scalehouse Collaborative for the
Arts,
the City is excited to introduce the community to the art and the artists,
chosen in June of 2025.
“This event is intended to celebrate our community, public art and the core
services of Public Works that keep Bend thriving,” said Public Works Director
Mike Buettner. “Come and enjoy family-friendly activities, eat at the food
trucks and connect with City staff and artists.”
Last October, Bend’s Public Works departments (Engineering, Facilities, Fleet,
Transportation & Mobility and Water Services) consolidated from dispersed
locations across Bend into one collaborative, efficient Public Works
Campus. The campus incorporates a number of sustainability strategies.
The facility is powered 100% by electricity and aims to create enough energy
through solar power to cover the entirety of its power use.
About Art in Public Places: Art in Public Places is a non-profit
organization that has donated public art throughout Bend, Oregon since 1973.
For over 40 years Art in Public Places has created an enhanced visual
environment for Bend residents and promoted tourism and economic vitality
through the artistic design of public spaces. For more information, visit
artinpublicplaces.org.
About Scalehouse: Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts is a Bend-based
nonprofit dedicated to advancing contemporary art. For the Public Works Campus
project, Scalehouse developed informational signage and led community
outreach, helping connect residents and visitors to the artists, ideas, and
stories behind the work. Learn more at:
scalehouse.org.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities & Language Assistance
Services