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 Water 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.
