Stories

Keep up with the rapid beat of the Heart of Bellevue. Read stories of the people behind the place. Get to know the BDA with a member spotlight. Stay informed on the latest advocacy efforts and what's happening downtown. Whether you come downtown for work or fun, make the most of your visit by enjoying Bellevue Beats and Al Fresco Dining.

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He(ART) of Bellevue: Morgan Fyfe Powell

Abstract artist Morgan Fyfe Powell is heavily influenced by the places she spends time at. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, she moved to the Pacific Northwest and now calls Seattle her home. Fyfe still creates art from her roots in the South. You can see her artwork in person at the Bellevue Downtown Arts Market.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Shamila Jiwa

Born in Tanzania and now operating from Seattle, Shamila Jiwa has managed to turn a simple jewelry hobby into a passionate career. Her jewelry is designed for the modern woman, combining age-old goldsmithing techniques with modern day stylistic elements.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Dina Ayoub

Seattle artist Dina Ayoub believes art is all about feelings. After living many years as a product manager in the tech industry and writing a fantasy novel, she's come to realize that she enjoys life the most when she’s creating. You can see Ayoub and her paintings in person at the Bellevue Downtown Arts Market, Sept. 4-6.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Angie Heinrich

Angie Heinrich, the owner of Zetamari Mosaic Artworks, has been creating mosaics in Seattle since 1998. Drawing inspiration from Moroccan art and architecture, Heinrich combines similar texture, color and meaning in her own art. You can see Heinrich and her mosaic art in person at the Bellevue Downtown Arts Market, Sept. 4-6. Read on for our Q&A with Angie Heinrich.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Ashmita Gulati

Based in Bellevue, AURORA by Ashmita Gulati is a visual painter who creates contemporary and abstract art inspired by her personal and cultural experience. Read on for our Q&A with Ashmita Gulati.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Caramia Justian

Located in Issaquah, Caramia Justian creates unique themed collage brooches and pendants that you can’t find anywhere else. She is one of the many artists who are fighting to keep the art movement alive. Read on for our Q&A with Justian.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Rob Tilley

Photographer Rob Tilley captures more than just stunning images. He creates a connection by using visually impactful colors, textures, patterns and designs to pull at the strings of the viewer's emotion. After working in financial service for more than 20 years, he decided to follow his passion and became a full-time photographer. Read on for our Q&A with Tilley:

He(ART) of Bellevue: Elizabeth Person

Local artist Elizabeth Person has been gaining recognition for her beautifully illustrated maps, children's books, and other Northwest icons. We caught up with her and chatted about her illustrations and how she's staying connected during the pandemic.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Diane Harris Designs

Local artist Diane Harris has been making handcrafted leather handbags and accessories for the past ten years. When COVID-19 hit, she switched gears and has now made over 1,200 adjustable masks sold at the Issaquah Farmers Market.

he(ART) of Bellevue: Kindred Industrial

The spirit of second chances is the ethos behind Kindred Industrial: a husband and wife duo who use their inspiration to transform everyday materials into unique works of art. For this edition of heART of Bellevue, we caught up with owners Andrew and Melinda to learn about what inspires them and the background behind their work.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Art by Vikram

Vikram Madan has been painting professionally since 2014. After quitting his job as an engineer, he enrolled in part-time art classes, then eventually spent two years studying at Seattle’ Gage Academy of Art. He describes his work as "contemporary whimsical art" that explores the human condition without taking itself too seriously.

He(ART) of Bellevue: Kate's Magnets

While most people would panic at starting a family business during a pandemic, Laura and Kyle Reynolds embraced it. Kate's Magnets, previously known as Kate Grenier Designs, was acquired by the Reynolds back in February right before the pandemic hit...

He(ART) of Bellevue: AYNI Jewelry Art

Artist Calin Garcia started AYNI Jewelry Art in the small Andean town of Pisaq, Peru. Garcia has been creating contemporary metalsmith jewelry for over 23 years, selling pieces all around the world...

6th Street Arts Fair Canceled, but Supporting Local Artists Continues in New Blog Series

The Bellevue Downtown Association made the difficult decision to cancel the 6th Street Arts Fair this year. While this celebrated event won’t take place in 2020, we're instead kicking off our new artist spotlight series, heART of Bellevue, with painter Rina Patel.