At the northwest corner of the continental United States, the rolling green lawn at Peace Arch State Park waves a last farewell.
Onlookers in cars scurrying through the border crossing may notice the well-groomed shrubbery, colorful flower displays and gorgeous array of mature trees, but they should get out of their cars to view the annual sculpture display.
For the 22nd year, the park is host to a seasonal exhibition of local art, curated by Christina Winkler, the exhibition coordinator.
“The beauty of having the art renew in the gardens is that it brought the local people to the park – just to see what new art was here,” Winkler said.
In many cases, Winkler said artists come to her with interest in submitting their art to the exhibition. Sifting through submissions to choose sculptures often comes down to park appropriateness, safety and aesthetics.
“People in the park, they love whimsical,” Winkler said.
One of the installations, “Objective Reality” by Bellingham artist Shirley Erickson fits the bill. Its frame is steel, with cast glass fused to make a simple and rustic pin shape.
An intricate bronze piece titled “Tree House” by Jean-Guy Dallaire of Vancouver, B.C. is sheltered beneath a tall tree. The small size and even smaller details make it look almost like a fairy house, fit with ladders and a kayak.
Winkler also discovers artists naturally. She met Bellingham woodcarver Martin Addicott at Bellingham Senior Center, where she volunteers. With his family’s support, the park is now showcasing two of Addicott’s pieces. “Two Red Foxes – Vulpus Vulpus” sits amid lush green ground cover near the parking lot, while “Soushi-Souai” is placed in front of thick brush near the south edge of the park.
Park manager Rick Blank, known as Ranger Rick, is in charge of managing the contract and making sure everything is safe for the public.
“It’s a tremendous formal resource to take care of,” Blank said about the park. “I just love it.”
The sculptures will remain in the park until the fall. In past years, they’ve traveled to different locations in the city, but as city funding has dwindled, the park has had to cut down on sculptures and their placements, according to Winkler.
A decade ago, the park received $20,000 and had over 50 sculptures a year, Winkler said. Last year, the budget was $7,000, $3,000 of which went straight to insurance.
“We’d like to get some support so we can do more,” Winkler said.
The installation process began in mid-April and the sculptures will be removed by mid-October.
Chainsaw-carved wood and painted sculpture titled “Two Red Foxes – Vulpus Vulpus” by Bellingham artist Martin Addicott. 
“Tree House,” a bronze sculpture by Jean-Guy Dallaire of Vancouver, B.C. 
An aluminum piece called “Contradiction” by Serge Mozhnevsky of Coquitlam, B.C. 
“Harbinger of Good Fortune,” a piece made of concrete and steel by David Sibiga of Blaine. 
Chainsaw-carved wood and painted sculpture titled “Soushi-Souai” by Bellingham artist Martin Addicott.
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