STORM WATCHING SEASON
COASTAL COMFORT, REIMAGINED
SUMMER
YOUTH
ACTIVITIES
GUIDE
Energetic. Social. Vibrant.
Explore the entertainment and nightlife scene at The Bellevue Collection. Meet here for interactive fun, then stay for the bites and the energy. From cocktails with epic views to sports bars, choose your scene—virtual reality games, bowling nights, movies and more.
Coming Soon – Game Show Battle Rooms
The March/April 2026 issue marks my one-year anniversary as editor of Reflections, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have produced. Since you’re not likely to have read the masthead — who does? — I wanted to introduce you to my team.
This magazine is created completely in-house by our small but scrappy Communications department: our fearless director, Åsa Douglas, graphic designers Tyler Hughey and Daniel Su, and me. Every other month, we produce Reflections in addition to designing and writing a slew of emails, creating the digital ads you see on the big screens around the Club, managing social media, and producing print brochures, signage, schedules, menu updates, and much more. There’s rarely a lull in our workload and never a dull moment in our office.
When I’m not writing or editing something for Club communications or Reflections, I’m thinking about what the lineup for the next issue should be: what stories we should tell, who we should spotlight and what will feel timely and meaningful to you. One of the most rewarding parts of this role has been seeing how much talent, dedication and heart exists within these walls—from our staff to our members—and finding new ways to share it.
In this issue, we’re excited to share a profile of member Susan Pappalardo, who is working to bring a new aquatics center to Bellevue, along with a guide to the best places to enjoy the serene beauty of winter birdwatching. You’ll also find our annual Summer Youth Guide—yes, it’s that time of year again.
Thank you for reading and thank you for letting us share these stories with you.
Warmly
Alison Brownrigg Editor, Reflections
P.O. Box 970, Woodinville, WA 98072.
send address changes to BELLEVUE CLUB REFLECTIONS, 11200 S.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, WA 98004.
EASTER BRUNCH
APR 5
Reserve your family's spot for an unforgettable brunch, complete with a seafood display, a carving station, a dessert buffet and photos with the Easter Bunny. $84/adult | $42/child (3-12) 3 and under free
2
11,
5 BALANCE TRAINING WITH TAI JI QUAN SERIES | 11-11:45 AM
5 PALM SPRINGS TENNIS VACATION
5 BEHIND THE CANVAS: LIVE ARTIST SHOWCASE | 4:30–6:30 PM
5, 19 VITAMIN B SHOTS | 11 AM–2 PM
5 BARBELL TRAINING SERIES | 5:30–6:30 PM 6 FAMILY GYM NIGHT | 5:30–8 PM
6 LIVE MUSIC IN THE ATRIUM WITH FRANK KOHL | 5:30–8 PM
6 CLEAR THE KEG | 5–9 PM
7, 14, 21, 28 PRIME RIB NIGHT IN POLARIS | 5–9 PM 7, 14, 21, 28 BREAK EVEN BOTTLE NIGHT | 5–10 PM
10 SESSION 5 RECREATION REGISTRATION OPENS | 9 AM
10 TASTING TUESDAYS WITH EVEREN WINES 4–5:30 PM 11 BCYBA CLINIC: 3-ON-3 | 4–5:30 PM 11 TEEN PERFORMANCE SERIES | 4–4:45PM 12 SESSION 5: JUNIOR TENNIS REGISTRATION OPENS | 9 AM
SESSION 5: ADULT TENNIS REGISTRATION OPENS | 7 AM
TO LINOCUT | 10 AM–12:30 PM
At Overlake’s Cancer Center, the best cancer care goes beyond medical treatment. Our supportive care services guide you from diagnosis through treatment to recovery and survivorship. Your patient navigator helps coordinate emotional, physical and practical support — so you have access to the right resources, at the right time, for any challenges you face along the way.
Care that treats you, not just your cancer.
To learn more, visit overlakehospital.org/ cancer-support or scan the QR code.
At our opening reception you’ll meet the artists and get an exclusive look at their creative process as they work on their pieces in real time.
Light bites will be provided, and the bar will be open with beverages available for purchase. Members and guests are welcome.
Experience the finished versions of the work-in-progress pieces you watched take form in March. The finished pieces will be on view and available for purchase.
We’ve invited four talented artists, William Cook, Susan Walker, Carol Whitaker and Carol Ross to begin an art piece at the Club in March and then show off the finished work in October. It’s a unique way to ask questions and engage directly with the artists in an informal, inspiring setting.
Two of the participating artists, William Cook and Carol Ross, are teaching beginner classes in their chosen medium at the Club in March. Sign up and explore your creative side! No art experience necessary.
thursday
MAR 5 • 4:30-6:30 PM atrium
wednesday
OCT 7 • 4:30-6:30 PM atrium
Create a personally expressive work of art using a linoleum block, ink and paper. The result is a unique piece that you can feel proud of. Taught by William Cook.
Tuesday, March 17 | 10 AM-12:30 PM
$65/member | Polaris
Learn how to use Claybord and ink to create a nuanced black-and-white image. No drawing skills are required, just an observant eye!
All equipment and supplies are provided. Taught by Carol Ross.
Wednesday, March 25 | 10 AM-12:30 PM
$65/member | Polaris
Orthopedic and sports medicine care
We have experts in both non-surgical and surgical treatments for conditions affecting the shoulder, hand, hip, knee and spine.
For same-day, walk-in care, our urgent care clinics are open seven days a week.
Get immunizations, screenings, treatment for illnesses and overall health management for your entire family.
INSPIRED BY THE FLOWER MARKETS OF THE NETHERLANDS, BELLEVUE CLUB MEMBER FARREN HAYWOOD BRINGS PAPER ONES TO LIFE.
Asa lifelong creative, former ICU nurse Farren Haywood used paper floristry as a creative outlet to decompress from her intense and demanding job. When Farren and her husband moved to the Netherlands in 2019, she was able to quit her day job and make paper flowers her full-time gig. Surrounded by tulip fields and vibrant flower markets, she began studying fresh blooms up close, pulling them apart petal by petal and figuring out how to re-create them with paper. Before long, Farren Celeste, the business, was born.
Today, Farren is known for her remarkably lifelike paper flowers, especially her dahlias, ranunculus and peonies. Each bloom begins as a hand-drawn template, cut using a Cricut machine and assembled entirely by hand. She works with premium cardstock, experimenting with different paper weights to capture delicate curves, layered petals and natural movement.
While her work is popular for weddings and special events, many customers are drawn to her flowers for everyday living. Paper blooms offer lasting color, zero maintenance and a sculptural quality that feels both playful and elevated. They also make memorable, long-lasting gifts—no vase required.
Farren shares her craft with others through in-person and online workshops, where participants learn to create their own paper flowers in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. No experience or cutting machine is needed for her in-person classes—she provides everything. Online classes are downloaded digitally and include Cricut- and Silhouette-friendly files, a materials list and easy-to-follow video tutorials. farrenceleste.com
Farren will be teaching a flower workshop at the Club on March 18 from 6 to 8 PM in the Atrium. Make and take home two beautiful peonies. $60/member.
YES, YOU CAN GET “REAL” BAGELS IN SEATTLE. AND NOW YOU KNOW WHERE.
by alison brownrigg
ou may think you’ve had a bagel—until you taste a Hey Bagel bagel. Then you get why other “bagels” aren’t really bagels; they’re just soft bread doughnuts. (And this is for the West Coasters among us. You East Coasters have generally grown up with real bagels, so I’m not trying to tell you something you don’t already know.)
Hey Bagel is owned and obsessively operated by Eastsider, Andrew Rubenstein, who takes his job very seriously. “I spend every night thinking about my bagels in one way or another,” he says. “I want people to walk away from eating one of them and feel like it turns their day around.”
What makes Andrew’s bagels great and sets them apart from the fray is the pleasantly chewy and substantial lacquered crust that practically snaps back when you bite into it. This crust has presence, gravitas. It holds its own. Well, actually what it holds is an interior akin to a glutenous work of art. Never bready or pillowy or sweet, Andrew’s bagels are tight and slightly springy—you can tell this work takes time and patience to create.
Hey Bagel bagels are sourdough-based, which implies that fermentation is a part of the process. Which it is. Andrew lets his bagels ferment for 24-48 before boiling them in water, then coating them in classic bagel toppings: salt, everything, salted sesame seed, salted poppy seed and garlic—yes, there are plain ones too.
Hey Bagel definitely does not make sandwiches and no—they won’t toast OR slice the bagels for you, so don’t even ask. But what they do make, which you should definitely pick up, are their cream cheese schmears. My favorite is the raspberry curry and hot honey, which was one of the best things I ate in 2025. I’m not even going to try to describe how it tastes—either you trust me or you don’t. But you should try it.
The crew at Hey Bagel crafts 180 bagels (and bialys, sometimes) every 20 minutes on their busy days, which means a bagel on their shelf is rarely older than two or three hours. Customers are strongly encouraged to dive right in as soon as they’re paid for—just tear and dip into the schmear of your choice. If you must wait and eat it the next day, Andrew provides very specific reheating instructions on every Hey Bagel bag. If you follow those instructions, you’ll be treated to a transcendent gustatory experience that will ruin all other bagels for you forever.
The sole outpost of Hey Bagel is in University Village—not an unreasonable trek across the 520 Bridge— however, Andrew has his sights set on a Bellevue location, so fingers crossed for that. Online ordering is available for pickup.
4610 Village Court NE, Seattle, 98105. heybagel.net
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If you’ve ever pushed through a workout thinking harder is always better, it may be time to reassess. Cue heart rate training zones—the not-so-secret tool athletes and savvy exercisers use to get fitter without burning out.
Exercise zones break intensity into five levels based on percentages of your maximum heart rate. That last part matters because heart rate is personal. What sends one person into a sweat spiral might feel totally manageable to another. Zones replace one-size-fits-all targets with effort that fits you.
Zones 1 and 2 are the most underrated, but also where most of the magic happens. These lower intensity efforts feel sustainable and repeatable, helping your body rely more on fat for fuel while building aerobic capacity and strengthening heart efficiency. They’re also easier to recover from, which means you can train more consistently—a far bigger driver of progress than the occasional heroic workout. If you can carry on a conversation without breaking your stride, you’re likely in zones 1 or 2.
Zone 3 sits squarely in the “moderately uncomfortable” range. It has benefits, but spending too much time here can lead to fatigue without meaningful gains. Zones 4 and 5 crank the intensity way up, improving speed, power and endurance—but only in short, strategic doses. Think intervals, sprints and brief challenges, not entire workouts.
The sweet spot? Balance. Most training should stay comfortably controlled, with smaller portions of higher intensity layered in intentionally. This approach improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces injury risk and keeps motivation high.
Great workouts aren’t about maxing out—they’re about showing up in the right zone, at the right time. Train smarter, recover better and let your fitness build exactly where it should.
Looking for ways to keep your kids active and engaged during summer break? In this guide you’ll find all the tools you need to plan a summer full of camps, session classes and private lessons perfectly matched to your child’s interests.
Curate a full day of camps to get the most out of our summer programming. Camps range in length from 2–4.5 hours and include a variety of offerings like sports, crafts, science and more.
We offer two class sessions each summer. Classes are centered around group instruction designed to create a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere for kids to develop skills and grow.
For the most focused skill building, we suggest signing up for one-on-one private lessons. These are available for kids and adults, and semi-private and group lessons are also available.
Use our planning tools on page 5 to create the perfect schedule for your family.
All swim camps drop off and pick up in the Gameroom. Participants must pass a swim test or wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
SWIM CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 9:30 AM–2 PM
Game Room | Weeks 1–10
WEEKS 1-3: MAR 3, 10 AM WEEKS 4-6: MAR 4, 10 AM
Each day includes a group swim and safety skills lesson, organized games and free play in the pool. Bring your swimsuit, goggles, a nutfree lunch and an appetite for fun. $380/week
AFTERNOON SWIM CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Game Room | Weeks 1–10
Burn off the last little bit of energy with afternoon swim camp. Campers will become more comfortable in the water playing interactive group games and activities. $245/week
The Bellevue Club's Youth Basketball Academy focuses on developing each player as an individual and teammate, placing a high value on both skills and character development. The youth basketball class curriculum follows a natural skill progression, allowing players to reach their full potential.
BASKETBALL CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 9:30 AM–2 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Players will work closely with a basketball coach through drills and scrimmages designed to build court awareness, game understanding and overall skill development. Dress for basketball, bring a water bottle and a nut-free lunch. $380/week
AFTERNOON BASKETBALL CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Designed to help players grow, this afternoon camp focuses on strengthening basketball fundamentals through daily drills and skill development. Dress for basketball and bring a water bottle. $245/week
AGILITY & CONDITIONING CAMP
Ages 8–15 | M–F | 9–11 AM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 1 & 7
Boost agility, refine skills and enhance overall conditioning. Unleash your athletic potential this summer! $350/week
BALL HANDLING & SHOOTING CAMP
Ages 8–15 | M–F | 9–11 AM
Basketball Gym | Week 3
Focus on drills and techniques that improve footwork, ball control and shot accuracy to elevate your overall game. $350/week
5 MAN MOTION, PASSING, DEFENSE CAMP
Ages 8–15 | M–F | 9–11 AM
Basketball Gym | Week 9
Work on seamless ball movement, effective passing techniques and building solid defensive habits to enhance both individual and team performance. $350/week
FAST BREAK & DEFENSE CAMP
Ages 8–15 | M–F | 9–11 AM
Basketball Gym | Week 5
Learn how to effectively push the ball down the court, capitalize on fast break opportunities and strengthen defensive positioning and awareness. $350/week
GOLF CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
The Links | Weeks 1–10
Swing into summer with some golf! Camps are tailored for young golf enthusiasts, offering a blend of learning and play. Our instructors use engaging methods to introduce the basics of golf, such as grip, stance and swing mechanics. $400/week
NEW! GOLF CAMP - INT/ADV
Ages 12–16 | M–F 9:30 AM–12 PM
The Links | Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Focused on skill refinement, this camp will go beyond the basics to improve young golfers’ skillsets. Our instructors will focus on advanced techniques, course management and personalized feedback to take your golf abilities to the next level. Personal clubs are allowed. $450/week
JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
Ages 4–10 | M–Th 12–2 PM
Tennis Courts | Weeks 1–10
Players will develop strong fundamentals through stroke production, drills and footwork. They'll apply skills in match play while learning smart singles and doubles strategies, building confidence, improving technique and enjoying an active on–court experience. $305/week
SPECIALTY TENNIS CAMP
Ages 6–9 | M–Th 9:30 AM–12 PM
Tennis Courts | Weeks 1–10
This camp helps players develop strong fundamentals through stroke production, drills and footwork. Campers apply skills in match play and learn smart singles and doubles strategies. Bring a nut-free lunch. $375/week
ELITE TENNIS CAMP
Ages 10–17 (or staff approval)| M–Th 11:45 AM–2:15 PM
Tennis Courts | Weeks 1–10
Campers should be able to rally 20 balls in a row, switch comfortably between semi-western and continental grips, hit flat and slice serves. Camp time emphasizes consistent hitting, conditioning, smart shot selection, confident court positioning and fast footwork. $375/week
TEEN TENNIS CAMP
Ages 11-17 | M-Th | 12–2 PM
Tennis Courts | Weeks 1–10
This camp helps teens level up their game by building solid fundamentals through drills, stroke development and footwork training. Players put their skills to the test in match play while learning singles and doubles strategies, gaining confidence and sharpening technique. $305/week
AFTERNOON ALL SPORTS CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Campers sample a variety of sports throughout the week, focusing on one sport each day. The program emphasizes skill development, teamwork and active fun. Dress for sports and bring a water bottle $245/week
ALL SPORTS CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 9:30 AM–2 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
A Club favorite, this camp introduces a new sport each day. Campers will participate in skill-building drills, scrimmages, fun games and swimming. Please dress for athletic activity and bring a water bottle, nut-free lunch and swimsuit. $380/week
NEW! HIP HOP DANCE CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Aerobics Studio | Weeks 1 & 4
This camp is a high-energy, confidencebuilding experience for campers, who will learn age-appropriate hip hop choreography, rhythm and coordination through fun routines, freestyle games and creative movement. $245/week
KARATE CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Aerobics Studio | Week 9
Learn basic blocks, punches and kicks through individual and group instruction. Camp is a great introduction to our year-round Karate Club, taught by Sensei James Penor. $245/week
TABLE TENNIS CAMP
Ages 8–15 | M–F 2–4 PM
Multipurpose Room | Weeks 3 & 10
Dive into the thrill of table tennis with coach Eugene Wong. Learn techniques, improve skills and enjoy friendly matches and pro-level strategies to sharpen your game. $245/week
SQUASH CAMP
Ages 6–16 | M–Th | 9:30 AM–12 PM
Squash Courts | Weeks 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Led by squash pro Latasha Khan, this camp focuses on learning the fundamentals of squash while building confidence and friendships. Campers will practice forehands, backhands, serves, footwork, drills and basic game strategy—all while having fun. $300/week
VOLLEYBALL CAMP
Ages 9–13 Weeks 4 & 10
Ages 14–17 Weeks 5 & 9
M, T, Th, F | 7–9 PM | Basketball Gym
Train with coach Eugene Wong, who brings over 25 years of coaching experience and IMPACT and CAP I certifications. Camp emphasizes core volleyball skills, structured drills and real-game scenarios in a challenging and fun environment. $245/week
KIDS CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 9:30 AM–12 PM
Kids Camp Room | Weeks 1–10
A Club favorite! Spend a fun-filled morning with arts and crafts, group activities, story time and more. Open swim is included, so please bring a swimsuit. Snacks are provided. Children must be toilet trained and able to change independently. USCG-approved life jacket required. $300/week
PRESCHOOL ALL-SPORTS CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
Each day introduces a different sport through age-appropriate drills, games and activities designed to keep kids active and engaged. Dress for sports and bring a water bottle and nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL CLIMBING CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Kids Camp Room | Week 2 & 9
Little climbers will learn the basics of bouldering and what they are capable of while climbing on our rock wall in an energetic and supportive atmosphere. Dress for sports and bring a water bottle and nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL PAINTED PALACE ART CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Multipurpose Room | Weeks 5 & 9
Preschoolers are joined by the professionals from the Painted Palace as they work with new materials each day. Campers will explore their creative side using different styles and mediums to create daily masterpieces. Bring a nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL ROYAL IMAGINATION CAMP
Ages 3–6 | Week 3 12–2 PM
Kids Camp Room
Preschoolers are joined by the professionals from Seattle Princesses as they expand their imagination while exploring far off kingdoms. Campers will enjoy favorite fairytales through songs, pretend play, stories, hands-on activities and character meet and greets. Please bring a nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL SOCCER
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Basketball Gym | Weeks 1, 3, 6, 10
This introductory soccer camp helps young athletes develop motor skills, teamwork and confidence through playful drills and fun minigames. Dress for sports and bring a water bottle and nut-free lunch. $245/week
NEED BEFORE OR AFTER CAMP CARE?
Is the 9:30 AM start time too late or the 4 PM end time too early for your schedule? Our Before and After Care program helps bridge the gap with early drop-off and late pick-up.
Ages 3+ | M–F 8–9:30 AM + 4-6 PM
Kids Camp Room | Weeks 1–10
Before Camp: $125/week
After Camp: $150/week
NEW! PRESCHOOL STORYBOOK CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Kids Camp Room | Weeks 1 & 6
This camp will spark the imagination through daily story time and hands-on creative activities. Campers will explore beloved tales, then create their own stories through art. Bring a nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL SUPERHERO CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Multipurpose Room | Week 4
Kids Camp Room | Week 8
Kids enjoy daily visits and exciting adventures with classic Superheroes as they expand their skillsets while learning from the best. Please bring a nut-free lunch. $245/week
PRESCHOOL SWIM CAMP
Ages 3–6 | M–F 12–2 PM
Game Room | Weeks 3, 5, 8
Make a splash this summer with preschool swim camp! Each day of camp includes a swimming lesson, group games and tons of fun! No swimming skills are required to participate. Bring a nut-free lunch. USCG-approved life jacket required. $245/week
ADVANCED LEGO CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 12–2 PM
Multipurpose Room | Weeks 1, 5, 7
Perfect for experienced LEGO builders, this advanced camp challenges campers to expand their creativity using miniature, mosaic, sculpture and mechanical building techniques under the guidance of LEGO-certified pro Dan Parker. $275/week
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Multipurpose Room | Week 2, 6, 8
Campers will use our professional cameras, lenses and editing equipment while playing with aperture, shutter speed and ISO to control their cameras manually. Personal cameras are welcome but not required. $245/week
BEGINNER LEGO CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Multipurpose Room | Weeks 1, 5, 7
Join LEGO-certified professional Dan Parker for an exciting hands-on experience. Campers will build castles, spaceships, dinosaurs and more while exploring four LEGO building styles: miniature, mosaic, sculpture and mechanical—each with daily themes. $275/week
Our nut-free and nutritious lunches are delivered right to your child. All 12–2 PM preschool camps start with lunch.
HOW TO ORDER MEMBERS.BELLEVUECLUB.COM
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CAMP CRUNCH LABS
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Kids Camp Room | Weeks 3, 8, 10
Spark curiosity and creativity by building hands-on science kits designed by former NASA engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober. This engineering-focused camp inspires problem-solving and innovation. $300/week
NEW! CONSTRUCTION ZONE CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Kids Camp Room | Week 4
Kids will be guided on how to create different types of structures and buildings. Get ready to use wood glue, building blocks, ties and more to create a building of your own. $245/week
INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 12–2 PM
Multipurpose Room | Week 2, 6, 8
Campers will use professional cameras, lenses and editing tools to learn the basics of photography. Hands-on activities explore aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Personal cameras are welcome but not required. $245/week
PAINTED PALACE ART CAMP
Ages 6–12 | M–F 2–4 PM
Multipurpose Room | Weeks 5 & 9
Professional instructors from Painted Palace guide campers through creative projects using new materials and techniques each day. Campers will experiment with various styles and mediums while creating daily works of art. $245/week
We’ve provided a couple of tools to help you wrangle your summer schedule into submission.
WEEK? Start with the planning grid and determine which weeks you have open for camps.
AGE? Find the camps that correspond with your child’s age.
TIME? Make sure the time works for you. Plan it right and your kid can make a day of it.
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MAKE IT A FULL DAY!
Swim classes are 30 minutes each with a maximum of 4 participants. A skill level assessment is recommended for all swimmers to ensure accurate placement. Email aquatics@bellevueclub. com for more info.
Preschool and Youth Classes
Session 1: $180 Session 2: $150
BABY, TODDLER & ME
Ages 9 months–3 years | Tue 10 AM or Sat 12 PM
Under the guidance of a professional instructor, parents are instructed on how to teach their children swimming and water safety skills.
PRESCHOOL 1: INTRO TO WATER
Ages 3–5 | Mon 5:30 PM | Tue 4 PM
Wed 5 PM | Thu 4:30 PM | Sat 10 AM
P1 is designed to introduce children to the water. Students practice floating, gliding and blowing bubbles with instructor support as well as getting comfortable submerging their faces. No prerequisites.
PRESCHOOL 2: INTRO TO INDEPENDENT WATER SKILLS
Ages 3–5 | Mon 4 PM | Tue 5:30 PM Wed 4:30 PM | Thu 4 PM | Sat 10:30 AM
In P2, students practice floating on front and back with minimal support from the instructor and explore forward movement through the water. Students learn proper flutter kick techniques and how to roll from front float to back float with assistance. Prerequisites: comfortable submerging face.
PRESCHOOL 3: ELEMENTARY WATER
SKILLS
Ages 3–5 | Mon 4:30 PM | Tue 5:30 PM
Wed 5:30 PM | Thu 5 PM | Sat 11 AM
P3 focuses on forward movement with legs first, kicking on front and rolling onto back to breathe in proper alignment. Freestyle arm movements are then added. Prerequisites: comfortable staying flat while rolling from front to back independently.
PRESCHOOL 4: FUNDAMENTAL WATER SKILLS
Ages 3–5 | Mon 5 PM | Tue 4:30 PM
Wed 4 PM | Thu 5:30 PM | Sat 11:30 AM
Students in P4 continue to develop their freestyle, learning to side-breathe with a steady cadence, as well as backstroke arms and breaststroke kicks. Endurance is increased by swimming longer distances. Prerequisites: must know how to swim and roll and be able to swim for 25 yards.
YOUTH 1: INTRO TO WATER SKILLS
Ages 6–12 | Mon 4 PM | Tue 4:30 PM
Wed 5 PM | Thu 5:30 PM | Sat 10 AM
Y1 is designed to introduce children to, and get them comfortable with movements in, the water. Students practice floating, gliding, submerging face, rolling from front to back with some forward movement and breath control, all with instructor support. No prerequisites.
YOUTH 2: FUNDAMENTAL WATER SKILLS
Ages 6–12 | Mon 5 PM | Tue 4 PM
Wed 5:30 PM | Thu 4:30 PM | Sat 10:30 AM
Y2 focuses on forward movement with combined arm and leg movements, with practice kicking on front and rolling on back to breathe in proper alignment. Freestyle and backstroke arm movements are explored. Prerequisites: comfortable staying flat while rolling from front to back independently.
SESSION WEEKS:
1 JUN 15-JUL 26 (6 WKS)*
2 JUL 27-AUG 30 (5 WKS)
REGISTRATION:
RECREATION:
ALL AGES: MAY 13, 9 AM
AQUATICS:
PRESCHOOL: JUN 1, 9 AM
YOUTH: JUN 2, 9 AM
* No session classes July 4
YOUTH 3: STROKE DEVELOPMENT
Ages 6–12 | Mon 4:30 PM | Tue 5 PM
Wed 4 PM | Thu 5 PM | Sat 11 AM
In Y3 students continue freestyle and backstroke technique and learn breaststroke. Endurance is increased by swimming longer distances. All skills are performed independently. Prerequisites: fundamental knowledge of freestyle with side-breathing and backstroke and can swim at least 15 yards of each.
YOUTH 4: STROKE IMPROVEMENT
Ages 6–12 | Mon 5:30 PM | Tue 5 PM
Wed 4:30 PM | Thu 4 PM | Sat 11:30 AM Y4 students swim greater distances of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Dolphin kick, butterfly and treading water techniques are explored. Prerequisites: must know freestyle with side-breathing, backstroke and have a fundamental knowledge of breaststroke.
Private lessons are available for all ages and offer the greatest flexibility and one-on-one attention for focused instruction specific to you and your kids.
Ages 2+ | Pool | Summer Series June 15-August 30
PRIVATE LESSONS
30 mins/$52
45 mins/$77
60 mins/$95
SEMI-PRIVATE
30 mins/$38
45 mins/$45
60 mins/$52
Per member, up to 3 members.
Ages 4–15 | The Links
30 mins/$60
Packages: 3 lessons/$171; 5 lessons/$270; 10 lessons/$510
The focus of these courses is refining stroke skills and increasing endurance after having perfected all four strokes. Swimmers should be able to swim all four strokes a minimum of 25 yards and use side breathing without lifting their head up. New swimmers are accepted throughout the year based on a successful tryout and availability. Email aquatics@bellevueclub.com for more info.
Pre-Comp 1 | 30 mins, twice weekly
Session 1: $360
Session 2: $300
Pre-Comp 2 | 45 mins, twice weekly
Session 1: $396
Session 2: $330
Pre-Comp 3 | 45 mins, once weekly:
Session 1: $198
Session 2: $165
PRE-COMP 1: BEGINNER
Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu 4–4:30 PM
Prerequisites: Participants can swim 50 continuous yards without fins, using all four competitive swimming strokes. Swimmers will continue to refine all four competitive strokes as well as workout sets, intervals and lane swimming etiquette.
PRE-COMP 2: INTERMEDIATE
Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu 4:30–5:15 PM
Prerequisites: Participants can swim 100 continuous yards without fins, using all four competitive swimming strokes and swim 50-100 yards without stopping. A higher level of endurance is sought to prepare for BCST. Workouts will focus on drills to refine muscle memory and fine tune stroke coordination.
PRE-COMP 3: ADVANCED
Ages 6-12 | Sat 10-10:45 AM
Prerequisites: Participants must demonstrate consistent technique and endurance across all four competitive strokes. Swimmers should be able to complete 200 continuous yards, and swim sets of 100 yards with minimal rest. Designed for swimmers nearing BCST readiness.
Ages 6 + | Basketball Gym
Customized workouts utilize multiple resources including the Shoot-A-Way machine and weighted balls.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING
50 mins/$85 25 min/$46
GROUP TRAINING
50 mins for two players: $110
Charges are split evenly between members. $25/additional member.
TEAM TRAINING
50 mins for 7–12 members:: $230/team
PRE-BALLET/CREATIVE DANCE
Ages 3–5 | Tue 4:15–5 PM | Multipurpose Room
Children will learn basic ballet steps and terminology while discovering rhythm and coordination, using their own creativity and lively imaginations. Ballet and pretty dress up clothes encouraged.
Session 1: $180
Session 2: $150
BALLET LEVELS 1 + 2
Ages 5–8 | Tue 5–6 PM | Multipurpose Room
Ballerinas begin developing the main concepts of ballet including coordination, spatial awareness, position of the feet and an introduction to movement vocabulary.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
BRONZE: INTRO TO BASKETBALL
Ages 6+ | Mon 4–4:45 PM or Sat 10–10:45 AM Basketball Gym
Designed to train players on the fundamentals of basketball, this class introduces basic skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
SILVER: BUILDING FUNDAMENTALS
Ages 6+ | Tue 4–4:45 PM or Sat 10:45–11:30 AM | Basketball Gym
Players will begin to refine their shooting technique, dribbling ability and learn in-game competition. Intermediate skills such as crossovers, running the floor, playing defense, chest passing and jump shots are introduced. Silver players must pass the Bronze Skills assessment prior to registration.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
Ages 3+ | Multipurpose Room
45 mins/$102; 60 mins/$115
Ages 7+ | Aerobics Studio
60 mins/$115, up to 4 members.
Ages 4+ | Squash Courts
Single player: 30 mins/$52; 45 mins/$78; 60 mins/$104. Price per member.
Ages 9+ | Basketball Gym
60 mins/$100; 90 mins/ $150; $25 for each additional member up to 16.
GOLD: FUNDAMENTALS REFINEMENT
Ages 6+ | Thu 4–4:45 PM | Basketball Gym
Each class highlights a different essential aspect of the game, focusing on skill development and increasing players’ confidence through proper repetition. Gold players must pass the Silver Skills assessment prior to registration.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
KARATE - BEGINNER
Ages 7+ | Wed 6–7 PM or Sat 9:15–10:15 AM
Aerobics Studio
Learn basic blocks, punches and kicks through individual and group instruction by our own Sensei James Penor.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
KARATE - INT/ADV
Ages 7+ | Wed 7:15–8:15 PM or Sat 10:30–11:30 AM | Aerobics Studio
Continue to work with Sensei James Penor to perfect blocks, punches and kicks while learning new techniques and taking your skills to the next level.
Session 1: $192
Session 2: $160
Celebrate at Bellevue Club! With a range of party options and activities to fit every kid’s interest, you can enjoy all the fun and leave the work to us.
Email e_recreation@bellevueclub.com for more info.
REGISTRATION FEES:
Payment for programs is billed at the time of registration. Program fees cannot be prorated. Payment for services is billed the day of the service (fees subject to change). Tax is not included. You must register for a full week.
CANCELLATIONS:
There are no refunds for missed classes or late arrivals on sponsoring member’s account. No alternative forms of payment will be accepted.
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT:
Parents or legal guardians of program or service participants younger than 12 years of age must check their children in and out every day with the instructor.
1 JUN 22-26 6 JUL 27-31 2 JUN 29-JUL 3 7 AUG 3-7
3 JUL 6-10 8 AUG 10-14
4 JUL 13-17 9 AUG 17-21
1 JUN 15-JUL 26* (6 WKS)
5 JUL 20-24 10 AUG 24-28 Scan to view schedule & register for camps. Scan to view schedule & register for session classes.
To receive a refund for a program, you must notify us of cancellation prior to the program start date. The refund amount will be based on the time of cancellation in relation to the start of the program. Late cancellations are not available online.
If anyone other than a parent or legal guardian is picking up a child, a pick-up authorization form must be completed before the program starts. If the person authorized to pick up your child is not a member, a guest pass will be issued and left at the Athletic Service entrance for them. Scan the code to the right to complete the form.
A guest may participate in a program or service when he or she is registered by a member. The sponsoring member must be in the Club while the guest attends the program or service. Members have registration priority over guests.
REGISTRATION:
Members can sign up guests by calling or visiting the Athletic Services Desk. Guest registration is not available online.
FEES:
Guest fees for programs and services are typically 20 percent higher than member fees (fees subject to change).
LIMITATION:
Guests may attend one program or service per year.
BILLING:
Guest fees are billed to the sponsoring member’s account. No alternative forms of payment will be accepted.
JUN 1, 9AM YOUTH: JUN 2, 9AM
2 JUL 27-AUG 30 (5 WKS) * No session classes July 4
Our child care provides a safe, enjoyable and supervised environment for members' children.
younger than 3: $16/hour 3-6: $15/hour.
For reservations call 425.637.4613 or use the QR code.
From snow geese to short-eared owls, these seasonal visitors put on quite a show across the state.
written by bryony angell
The wild birds from the Arctic fly through Washington every fall and winter, arriving like sentinels of the season’s change. First to arrive in late September are the snow geese, flying in their loose “V” formations, sometimes in the thousands as they cross the sky.
They settle onto their desired landing spots in the open fields of western Washington’s Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, where they congregate together in white expanses that look like snow to passing drivers.
Next to arrive in late October are the swans—trumpeter and tundra—which can be seen gleaning in postharvest potato fields all winter. The swans’ graceful appearance on land belies their true heft when trying to fly after gorging on those potatoes, their group takeoff something comical to witness.
Last to arrive (usually by December), and possibly the most anticipated by nature photographers, are the short-eared owls. These slender diurnal owls hunt the fields for voles, flitting like daytime moths back and forth, low over the landscape. Mount Baker is a stunning backdrop to their hunting ground.
Cold-weather birding has a quiet magic to it. The stillness of winter sharpens every sound and the landscape feels spacious and uncluttered. Three locations across the state offer an ideal entry point into this experience, with wide-open views of iconic species, visitor-friendly access and a deeper appreciation for the birds that depend on these winter landscapes for survival.
The rich agricultural region of the Skagit River delta lies only 70 miles north of the Bellevue-Seattle metropolitan area; it’s the ideal beginner birder starting point. The birds are abundant and easy to see in the open landscape, and there are numerous public parks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife preserves and walking trails where birding is supported through information online and signage on-site.
A bird-curious city dweller could easily bird-watch from a car or stop at any of the public access areas in the Skagit flats from Conway across the valley to Bow/Edison. Along the route, a beginner birder might see snow geese in the fields, red-tailed hawks and American kestrels (a small falcon) on utility wires, bald eagles silhouetted in trees and, maybe, a chance view of a short-eared owl.
The Skagit Audubon Society (www.skagitaudubon.org) has upto-date information for the best birding areas in Skagit and a printable map.
In March, head east of the Cascades to see North America’s largest bird, the sandhill crane. Each year the town of Othello, in Adams County, hosts the annual Sandhill Crane Festival (othellosandhillcranefestival.org), where birders have been gathering for 20 years to witness the arrival of nearly 35,000 cranes as they travel north to their breeding grounds in Alaska.
A birding festival is an instructive way for beginner birders to experience this new pastime, and the sandhill crane, standing at four feet tall, warrants the attention of its namesake event. For about a month in late winter the birds visit this area of eastern Washington in flocks of thousands.
The birds forage in fields during the day and roost in isolated scrub steppe near the water at night. Imagine standing beneath a pink-hued sky at dusk as thousands of birds fly overhead, covering the sky like an undulating screen of movement.
Another visual avian wonder comes in early spring, this time on the Washington coast near Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
Thousands of tiny shorebirds amass on the mudflats of Grays Harbor on their migration north to breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska.
During the last week of April and the first week of May, along the boardwalk of the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, you can see shorebirds like plovers, sandpipers, dowitchers, red knots and dunlins moving en masse across the mudflats like twinkling sand. These birds also fly in huge flocks together, shifting direction and catching the light, in a flight sequence called a murmuration. To witness this flight display is mesmerizing: you are watching a literal moving cloud of live creatures dancing in the sky.
The Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival (shorebirdfestival.com) takes place during the peak of shorebird migration in early May and offers field trips and educational programming to enhance your visit.
Find a meet-up or join a bird walk through your local Audubon Society (audubon.org) or parks department. Joining a walk led by a more experienced birder is the best way to start and improve your birding skills. I honed my own birding skills from years of such walks.
Skagit Valley, the Columbia Basin, and other birding areas outside county, state or national parks and refuges are privately owned, so visitors must abide by all private property and parking laws. Make the most of public parking areas when you pull over or enjoy the birds from your car.
Spend money locally and tell local businesses and people you meet that you are visiting as a birder. You may gain some inside scoop on a bird someone has seen, plus you’re supporting the birding economy.
Give birds and wildlife space to be wild. Migration is a time of exertion for birds, and they spend their energy foraging to restore energy. Human disturbance can have a significant impact. Read and follow the American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics (aba.org) to be a respectful birder from the start.
Borrow or invest in a pair of binoculars (an 8 x 32 binocular is a good starting point), and download a bird identification app like Merlin from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for your phone. Binoculars allow for watching birds from a safe distance, and the Merlin app will provide a baseline for visual and auditory birding identification.
Head to Iron Springs Resort on the Washington coast when the weather turns wild and the forecast calls for cozy.
written by Alison Brownrigg
About 4 hours away from Bellevue, Iron Spring Resort sits on a bluff high above a 10-mile stretch of beach in Grays Harbor County. Lewis and Clarke stumbled upon the cove in 1805, but it’s main claim to fame arrived in the 1890s when the beach became known as the “home of the razor clam,” thanks to its plentiful supply of the bivalve.
The original resort opened in the late 1940s as a lodge with 8 cabins, founded by Seattleite Olive Little, who managed and grew the property until her death in 2007 at the age of 91. Over time, Iron Springs fell into disrepair before being purchased by the philanthropic True family in 2010, who were frequent guests over the years. The new owners undertook an extensive renovation, modernizing the resort’s 25 cabins, while maintaining a rustic elegance. Overstuffed armchairs are upholstered in vintage Pendelton blankets, kitchens are updated and well-appointed and each cabin has a woodburning fireplace or stove, a non-negotiable when the cozy potential is this high. Huge picture windows overlook the beach or Boone Creek, which feeds into the ocean. Each cabin has a deck and a grill for warmer weather.
photography opposite page: kimberly wright ; this page from left: erika plummer photography and four foot photography
One of the best things about Iron Springs, aside from the views and the cozy factor, is how dog-friendly it is. Each cabin comes with water and food dishes, dog towels (which you’ll need) and a doggie bed for collapsing on after a day spent chasing the surf and the gulls. Your fourlegged friend will live their best life at Iron Springs..
The accommodations at Iron Springs range from intimate one-bedroom escapes to huge cabins that can accommodate groups of up to 20. There’s a well-stocked general store on the property with staples, snacks and treats, and a few restaurants nearby, including the family-friendly Green Lantern, which has been feeding hungry razor clammers since 1916. ironspringsresport.com
In the late 1940s commercial diggers harvested more than a million pounds of razor clams from Copalis Beach, quite a feat once you realize what goes into digging them up. Razor clams, named for their straight-razor-shaped shells, hide deep below the sand and burrow with remarkable speed. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife approves just a handful of days a year (during the fall and winter) for razor clam digging depending on the observed toxin levels and safety.
You’ll need a license and what’s called a clam gun to get to the clam after detecting its telltale dimple on the surface of the sand. And once you’ve reached it, you might need to stretch your whole arm down into the hole to retrieve it. This is best done at low tide, which tends to be in the wee hours of the morning during a time of year when it’s almost always raining. You’ll come home from razor clamming wet and sandy but rich in this meaty mollusk whose sweet and mild flvor lends itself to all manner of dishes, from chowder to fritto misto.
darling dachshund photo by swae photography
Bellevue Club is equipped to host corporate events of any size, from large-scale gatherings to smaller groups— and members can easily reserve a small conference room by the hour through the app.
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How one Club member is leading the charge to bring “new water” to Bellevue.
written by alison brownrigg
by michael matti
When Susan Pappalardo was spending long hours on pool decks as a swim parent, she assumed the long waitlists for lessons and scarcity of available pool space were temporary. Surely, in a region surrounded by water and known for prioritizing health and recreation, access to public pools would eventually catch up with demand.
It didn’t.
“As a swim parent and Masters swimmer, you really see the system from the inside,” Susan says. “We’re driving everywhere, spending a lot of time on the road just trying to find pools.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by many local families who recall carpooling to the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on school nights for meets and practices—sometimes hours from home
What Susan gradually realized was that the problem wasn’t new, nor was it simple. Much of the region’s public aquatic infrastructure was built more than half a century ago during a period of unusually ambitious public investment known as Forward Thrust.
In 1968, King County voters approved a series of bond measures designed to address rapid population growth and invest in social infrastructure. Championed by lawyer and civic leader Jim Ellis, Forward Thrust funded parks and more than a dozen public aquatic centers across the region. Facilities such as the Bellevue Aquatic Center and Mercer Island’s Mary Wayte Pool were built in the early 1970s and followed a similar design model: six-lane pools, limited seating and programming focused on lessons, open swim and lap swim.
“And here we are, more than 55 years later,” Susan says. “We haven’t created new water. We’ve just reinvested in old facilities.”
Since the Forward Thrust era, the Eastside population has grown by more than 200,000 people. Aquatics programming has evolved, the region has become more diverse, and demand for lessons, competitive training, therapy and recreation has increased dramatically. At the same time, construction costs have risen sharply and public trust in large bond measures has declined. In recent years, several cities have attempted to fund new aquatic centers through levies or bonds, only to see those measures fail at the ballot box.
What began as a personal frustration became a broader civic question: How does a region that hasn’t made a major public investment in aquatics in more than five decades build the next generation of aquatic centers?
That question ultimately led Susan to cofound SPLASH Forward , a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the City of Bellevue to bring a new, next-generation Bellevue Aquatic Center to life.
In many ways, her work represents a 21st-century counterpart to Forward Thrust—an effort to rebuild social infrastructure in a very different political and economic era, one where large-scale public projects increasingly depend on publicprivate partnerships.
If successful, it would mark the first major investment in new public aquatic infrastructure in King County in more than half a century.
In the fall of 2017, Susan attended a meeting at Bellevue Club about a dormant city feasibility study exploring a new public aquatic facility.
“I raised my hand and put my name on a piece of paper,” she says. “I had no idea that today I’d be pretty much 24/7.”
Everybody wants a pool, nobody wants to pay for it.
SPLASH Forward officially formed in 2018 as a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to supporting the city’s efforts.
Susan’s background as a program manager at Microsoft proved unexpectedly well suited to the task. Spend a few minutes talking with her and it’s clear she knows how to wrangle complexity, align stakeholders and keep projects moving.
“I left Microsoft when I had my kids,” she says. “But I always knew there would be something else for me. This allowed me to reignite my professional skill set and do something I love.”
As if her schedule weren’t already full, Susan also launched a High School Lifeguard Training Program in partnership with Bellevue Club in 2021. The program has provided more than 422 local students with free lifeguard certification, job resources and mentorship. This year, SPLASH Forward is piloting Every 2nd Grader Learns to Swim, a program that offers free lessons to more than 70 second graders at Stevenson and John Muir elementary schools, both Title I schools.
Plans for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center envision a 130,000-square-foot facility housing five distinct bodies of water: a 50-meter competition pool with a movable bulkhead; a deepwater pool for diving and water polo; a warm-water therapy pool; a program and teaching pool; and a leisure pool with zero-entry access, a lazy river and slides.
The facility would also include dry-side fitness areas, community rooms and flexible studios.
“We’ve modeled everything,” Susan says. “From morning to night, weekdays to weekends, school use, club use, regional events. We’ve looked at operations, staffing and cost recovery. Sustainability is critical.”
SPLASH Forward has drawn strong support from Bellevue Club members who share a lifelong connection to aquatics. Many are longtime Masters swimmers and advocates for broader community access to water safety, fitness and play.
Board member Nancy Wenke-Price, who spends part of the year swimming at the Palm Desert Aquatics Center, notes that building a new aquatics facility is a massive undertaking that will help Bellevue catch up with the rest of the country. “To get this huge thing off the ground, it needed a Susan—and we got a Susan,” she says.
Masters swimmer and board member Erik Teutsch adds that swimming is “a fantastic way to stay healthy, recover from injury and relax,” noting that the safety benefits of swim lessons “can’t be overstated in this region, with the Salish Sea, local lakes and so many places where we recreate in the summer.”
Tim Adkisson, whose parents were founding members of Bellevue Club, was the initiative’s first major private donor, honoring his late wife, Joan, whose love of swimming and belief in water safety inspired a gift that helps make this vision possible.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the project is its funding model.
“This will be the largest public-private partnership the City of Bellevue has ever done for parks and community services,” Susan says.
The total projected cost is estimated between $170 million and $200 million. SPLASH Forward is responsible for raising approximately 30 to 40 percent of construction costs—roughly $40 million to $65 million— through private donations. The city has already allocated nearly $10 million for early design work, with additional funding expected from King County grants and other public mechanisms.
“ SPLASH Forward exists to bring private funding together with public funding and to facilitate partnerships in order to build something that belongs to everyone,” Susan says. “This is social infrastructure—for generations.”
If timelines hold, design work will continue through the decade, with early park development beginning around 2028 and construction of the aquatic center following in the early 2030s.
The project is massive, complex and not without bureaucracy. But persistence, Susan says, is key—and it’s a trait she has in abundance. splashforward.org
Between the late 17th and early 19th centuries, young well-heeled, aristocratic Europeans (mostly Brits) took what was known as The Grand Tour—a months- or years-long period of travel intended to round out their classic education. It was the Age of Enlightenment, when curiosity ruled, and neoclassicism was having a moment. Travel was getting easier and archeology was a growing science. Reading about ancient ruins was no longer enough—people wanted to see them for themselves.
So off they went, through France and Italy, Greece and even as far as Egypt, marveling at the Colosseum in Rome and following the footsteps of the gods through the Acropolis in Athens. From this explosion of tourism sprouted a whole new genre of souvenirs: plaster intaglios.
If you know your way around a jewelry store, you’ve likely seen a wearable version of an intaglio—a gemstone engraved with an image and set into a ring. Plaster intaglios are their more accessible cousins. Small, (usually) white and richly detailed, they depicted gods and myths, symbols and landmarks (like the Colosseum) and scenes from everyday or religious life.
They were small, portable and inexpensive which made them easy to collect and transport.
Marnie Ross Chardon
Many were wrapped in gold paper or leaf, lending a luxury flourish to the humble plaster. Grand Tourists affixed them in trays, arranged them in glass cases or hung them on the wall as decor. Like the journey itself, these intaglios represented not just wealth, but taste, education and refinement.
Antique intaglio collections come up regularly for auction, fetching between hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the condition. Modern retailers like Ballard Designs (ballarddesigns.com) sell beautifully framed reproductions and Etsy is full of intaglios perfect for DIY framing if you’re feeling crafty.
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