The Best Art Hidden Across Spokane
Found across the city, there are murals, sculptures and other public artworks in the Spokane region designed to educate, commemorate, celebrate and more. If you are a fan of Spokane art and artists, then be sure to add these installations to your list and discover them for yourself!
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6c67a2637f148ec8391e34a3c8ea4ae4 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=00ac03d6fcb8c242da456bf547952a47 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=06c98d44a4fd44b451870b757c64385c 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9782963664d84ee9f3569b8341070251 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8fb257eb3a8fed82da4e2e5163ab894c 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=dd5d68672959f090dc7a94ccb045bf42 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/Cda_TheSuffragist4_TerryLee_CSz.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=98c6470cc7783edab36003eca03244c7 1500w)
While plenty of attention is paid to public art pieces that spark controversy, public art serves many roles, not the least of which is enlivening public spaces with imagery, color and design. It can commemorate important people, places and events. It can create or augment a sense of place. Public art can be serious, silly, or something in between.
And yes, it can even spark people to think, act or feel something about the work and what it represents.
Spokane's 7 Best Art Installations
COMMEMORATING IDAHO HISTORY
There’s an obvious theme to the bronze figurative sculptures overlooking Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park, all of which were created by North Idaho artist Terry Lee: Idaho history. In addition to “American Worker,” “Idaho Lumberjack” and “Idaho Farmer,” Lee added “The Suffragist” in summer 2020. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of Idaho’s ratification of the 19th Amendment recognizing women’s equal right to vote, which may or may not be relevant to an act of vandalism occurring earlier this year in which someone spray-painted “Beta Males” on the piece (the paint has since been cleaned off, and no further incidents have been reported).
In summer 2022, “The Miner” was added to the growing pantheon of permanent art along Front Avenue, which may continue to expand in coming years. Lee is currently working on a 1940s-era nurse from Farragut Naval Station and a historic Army soldier.
![Spokane's Best Art Installations](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c5ca599bc4872ea8cc609b10311e0c13 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f755eb1492f645252a79b1b8bfcc43b3 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a24c38be538842ddeb90fcc508999adb 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c0ead3aca96e40edd0ee8ab1f8e90478 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=275b6c0ed122e5ffdd1ec4f9c2091658 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7ce92485fa4797fbceae1e5e7d0f87b1 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/LoveBirdsSwansManitoPark-9.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9aa2f4c40d264853a53ec2ca311cee95 1500w)
MANITO PARK SWANS
Swans have (sort of) returned to Manito Park after a 16-year absence. In the early 1900s, a well-wishing resident imported the majestic white birds to the South Hill park, but not everyone was a fan. By 2006, the remaining pair descended from the original gaggle of mute swans had been permanently silenced.
This spring, the swans were resurrected in the form of two lifesize avian sculptures created by local artist Vincent De Felice and funded by Washington Trust Bank. Titled “Love Birds,” they’re the first public art piece to grace Manito Park’s 78 acres, and they reside near the recently revamped Mirror Pond.
The swans face each other, their necks forming a heart, which makes for a great photo. The swans’ bodies are abstracted so that there are no sharp edges, making them ideal for climbing. And because they’re made of bronze, there’s every possibility this pair will endure indefinitely.
SPOKANE CITY LINE BUS STOP SHELTERS
Riding the bus is better with a sheltered waiting area and clearly identifiable bus stops. Spokane Transit Authority’s ambitious new City Line project will accomplish both those things when it rolls out in 2023, with eight shelters featuring the work of local artists through Spokane Arts’ Art in Transit program.
Four shelters are already visible — two from each artist, one for the eastbound stop and the other westbound — each helping to establish a sense of place in their respective communities. Look for Joshua Thomas’ “Symphony Station” flanking the Fox Theater at Monroe Street where it intersects First and Sprague avenues.
Jimei “Mei” Lin’s work “The Melody We Share” celebrates diversity, including contributions of Japanese and Chinese community members, and can be found on Division Street where it crosses Main and Riverside avenues.
Find out more about the city’s Art in Transit and other public arts programs at the Spokane Arts Website.
![Spokane art installations](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0c228c663167889e170083832fb56d78 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1fc2fec088b86c9ed99a34f7e2ffd24d 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=43d737cffe6b5de133eaa0d6aa81d7b2 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=35062633bb1f3b30bbb48c28b4ebbb7e 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d659bd178a3eec2ef050e6ff939073fc 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8ec150707a032b4e1970f43095fb29a9 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/HoopfestMural1b_creditRogueHeart.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9605b2ae87c60a97249b9bbb54cdf4cc 1500w)
HOOPFEST MURALS
We tend to think of murals as being on the wall, but Spokane’s Hoopfest murals are on another large, flat surface where everyone’s looking: the basketball court. Beginning in 2020, Spokane Arts teamed up with Hooptown USA, MultiCare Health System and selected artists to create a unique background for on-court action at area parks’ public courts.
The murals completed to date include courts in Peaceful Valley (by Tiffany Patterson), Chief Garry Park and Riverfront Park (both by Joshua Martel), and Thornton Murphy Park (by Nick Goettling).
The most recently completed Hoopfest mural is by Ruben Marcilla, who happens to also be a longstanding sign painter for Avista Stadium. Marcilla’s design at Franklin Park celebrates the Spokane River, Salish language and Spokane Tribe, who sponsored the mural along with Spokane Indians baseball.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/The_Podium_Spokane_July_2021.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e50f68bedbef3b1d173f562a4c12fc7e 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/The_Podium_Spokane_July_2021.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3c76b4526e08fa54ed12e365c0b72e66 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/The_Podium_Spokane_July_2021.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=65bf46a150ea329343fbf3451a42767d 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/The_Podium_Spokane_July_2021.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9ae39f65b4cb18a7eed9a80d31747b6e 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/The_Podium_Spokane_July_2021.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a22966143143a34ef03457f118824b0f 1200w)
THE PODIUM
Overlooking Riverfront Park and the Spokane River, The Podium is Spokane’s much-heralded new sports facility. Spokane Public Facilities District, which operates the multifunctional 135,000-square-foot space, commissioned two art pieces for it that channel both playfulness and grandeur.
“Chromasphere” is located inside the facility, yet visible from the exterior, especially at night. It features 11 suspended, basket-like structures that glow in different colors and was created by Washington State University Professor Taiji Miyasaka and Clayton Binkley, a Seattle artist and engineer.
“Aspire,” which was created by an international artists’ collaborative called Acrylicize, is a freestanding sculptural installation on the park-facing side of the building. Individual metal panels on the piece can be engraved with information celebrating significant athletic accomplishments related to The Podium’s diverse users.
![Spokane Libraries](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/library-river-rampus2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f98c8c86c4cba23a45f075cb75846c40 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/library-river-rampus2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0af8e9f47dd4fdccb9d6114250c8a477 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/library-river-rampus2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1344ace0f682f771ec5a00057978ac19 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/library-river-rampus2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=ad719143b00163280ffc7f2bbf37780d 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/library-river-rampus2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=72697d1b9b8b23079f1e3a114ae7d9ae 1080w)
SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY’S READING FIGURES
Situated in the grass outside the Shadle Park Library are several painted cutout figures by Jasmine Iona Brown, which reinforce the library’s sense of place as a repository of knowledge. Although untitled, the flat figures are colloquially referred to as “The Readers.” Their colors — green, goldenrod, orange — mirror the natural surroundings, as well as the iconic green-and-yellow Shadle Park reservoir tank.
Brown’s sculptures are part of a comprehensive program to infuse the Spokane Public Library system with artwork, both inside and out. Visit spokanelibrary.org for a list of permanent and rotating artwork.