JewelBoats

Description: Jennifer Dixon has created three sculptural gestures at three points along the 1.4 mile long Westlake Cycle Track, in addition to artistically stamping the 2’ wide concrete buffer strip that protects the track from the parking areas. The body of work she collectively calls “JewelBoats” to reflect the ever changing characters of adjacent Lake Union. “Jewel of our City," as Lake Union is affectionately known, is a vibrant urban lake with a unique mix of industrial, residential and recreational uses. JewelBoats takes its inspiration from the reflective nature of the Lake.

At the south end of the track, Glacial Canoes pays homage to the Vashon glacier that formed the land and created the Lake eons ago. Patterns on the sculptures' faceted backs represent the current lake and its surrounding topography. Split like a geode, the watery insides provide an ever-changing portal for bicycles to pass through.

At the midpoint at Galer Street, Stone Dinghy, Crystal Kayak and Diamond Speedboat mirrors the types of boats and recreational usage found on the lake and highlights the transformation between Glacial Canoes at the south entrance and Diamond Speedboat at the north end of the cycle track.

At the north end of the track, Diamond Speedboat serves as a reflective guidepost and alludes to both a speedboat and a precisely cut and polished diamond. The sculpture calls attention to the characteristics of its location – the rapidly passing cars, bicycles, pedestrians, the Aurora Bridge, and ever-changing sky. Additionally, Diamond Speedboat makes reference to the flight of floatplanes that regularly land on the lake and to Boeing's first airplane assembled on the lake's northeast shore.

Watch: Seattle Channel Profile of Artist Jen Dixon (2008)

Location: Westlake Cycle Track; Stone Dinghy, Crystal Kayak, and Diamond Speedboat are located near the Galer Bridge; Diamond Speedboat is located at the north end of the cycle track.