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

The Bellevue Downtown Association has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 6th Street Arts Fair in light of safety concerns during the pandemic. However, in an effort to continue supporting local artists, the association is introducing a new blog series called heART of Bellevue. This initiative will showcase six local artists, including the first featured artist, Rina Patel, who combines her Indian roots with her experiences in the Pacific Northwest into vibrant abstract paintings. Patel, a self-taught artist, began her painting journey after a conversation with her children reminded her of her childhood dream. As in-person events have shifted online, Patel is continuing to share her art virtually and is even developing an online painting course.

The series aims to connect the community with local talent while encouraging support for artists who were affected by the cancellation of the fair. Mike Ogliore, BDA Vice President, highlights the importance of celebrating local creatives during these challenging times. Community members are invited to explore the artists’ work through the BDA's website and sign up for the Heart of Bellevue newsletter.