Originally published Saturday, March 1, 1997

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Part of Kirkland's image is being built around the arts. It has a growing collection of sculptures many of which are on loan from William Ballantine, a major downtown real estate investor.

It was Ballantine who acquired Walla Walla artist Brad Rude's bronze cow and coyote and moved it from Seattle's Occidental Square to Central Way in Kirkland.

Along with the cow, Kirkland has bronze bunnies, bronze mule deers, bronze grizzly bears and a half-dozen other bronze sculptures.

The bronze bunnies are a symbol for some critics who complain that Kirkland is using art as a commercial marketing device. The result is art that is pretentious, cute, safe and predictable.

And because the city lacks a professional art commission, much of the artwork is being installed with little or no public process.

"The odd thing about Kirkland is art is commerce. It is about buying and selling things. It is all about consumption," says Purves, the former director of the Arts Center.

This winter, Hamblin, the Arts Center's president, was selected by a City Council committee as the finalist for a $30,000 art installation to dress up the City Council chambers.

But at the last minute a couple of council members objected to his proposed mixed-media abstract and overruled the review committee. In effect, they said they didn't know much about art, but they knew they didn't like Hamblin's proposal.

Councilman Larry Springer, who served on the committee and recommended Hamblin, says -- like it or not -- the council members are "the arbiters of art in Kirkland."

Continued:

• Transformation from hamlet to urban village is under way
• Area has enhanced its small-town appeal
• 'Condo' is key word for city's future
• Outside downtown, Kirkland wears many face
• Citizens are active in the community