Bellevue Shopping Center To Host Summer-Long Arts Program

BELLEVUE, WA — The Marketplace at Factoria in Bellevue announced Monday it will host a series of fun-filled “Bubble Factoria” shows each Saturday through the end of August.

Giving a nod to the arts all summer long, the shopping center will also host an Instagram-worthy mural, showcase the artwork of dozens of local high school students, and offer a back-to-school-themed selfie station for kids and their families to enjoy while shopping for back-to-school outfits and accessories.

Additionally, the center will provide a DJ and live music performances in June. Each installation or performance is free of charge and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to observe state and local COVID safety precautions.

“Life has been very serious this past year, and as we enter the road to recovery, The Marketplace at Factoria wanted to celebrate with something fun and whimsical,” said Ross Doud, Pacific Northwest Regional Director, Property Management for Kimco Realty, the owner/operator of The Marketplace at Factoria. “The highlight of our tribute to the arts will be our ‘Bubble Factoria,’ a series of choreographed bubble shows that will entice people to meet up in a magical bubble-filled destination near their favorite store for a photo, visit with friends, enjoy a summertime ice cream, or partake in some well-deserved shopping and dining out.”

What’s Coming Up?

• Bubble Factoria Shows: A magical treat for the senses, The Marketplace at Factoria’s series of Bubble Factoria shows, taking place all summer long, will include thousands of bubbles choreographed to the sounds of upbeat pop music. The bubbles will be released in the courtyard between Ulta and Nike each hour on the hour from noon to 6 p.m. each Saturday through Aug. 28; each show will last approximately 12 minutes. To learn more, visit this link.
• Floral Mural: The Marketplace at Factoria has commissioned local artist Sarah Robbins to create a giant 20-foot high by 44-foot wide floral mural now featured on the large wall near Greek Express and Target. The mural provides a focal point for the shopping center’s summer highlight of the arts. Robbins’ work includes a number of intricately clustered flowers representing the way the Bellevue community has come together to support one another during this difficult time. The mural will provide a colorful and upbeat selfie station. To learn more, visit this link.
• Student Art: No tribute to the arts would be complete without recognizing the burgeoning talent that exists throughout the community. To showcase this talent, The Marketplace at Factoria will provide a venue for more than 30 pieces of art produced by local students from Newport High School. The artwork will be on display near the entrance of Walmart and the Dim Sum Factory restaurant from early July through the fall when new student artwork will be added. To learn more, visit this link.
• Kindness Initiative: As families begin back-to-school shopping, they will be welcomed with the Kindness Initiative at the Marketplace at Factoria. The initiative includes a special “Be Cool - Be Kind” selfie wall located near Panera Bread from July 28 through Aug. 30. Promoting kindness and compassion, the wall offers some simple, yet very meaningful food for thought as kids head back to the classroom this fall. In addition to the selfie wall, the initiative will also include an enter-to-win contest where shoppers can share the ways they plan to spread some kindness; one lucky winner will receive a $100 Target gift card. The Marketplace at Factoria will also donate $2 for every entry to a very special non-profit organization: the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). For details, visit the center’s website or Facebook page beginning August 1st.
• Musical Entertainment with DJ Indica Jones: With more than 2,000 shows under his belt, DJ Indica Jones knows how to create energy, get people into a good mood, and entice them to let loose and have some fun (June 26: noon to 2 p.m.).

For more details on the Bubble Factoria experience, the mural, and the student art exhibit, visit this link.