Cloud Veil Sculpture

What if a cloud could fall to earth? Not as rain, but as a shimmering veil of steel? Here at 12th Avenue Square Park in Seattle, we stand before the Cloud Veil, a sculpture that captures that very idea. The Cloud Veil isn’t just a static object. It’s a living, breathing part of this park, designed by Ellen Sollod in collaboration with Hewitt Architects. Commissioned by Seattle Parks and Recreation, it was brought to life through the Seattle Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Funds and the Seattle Parks Foundation Bullitt Fund. Completed in 2016, the Cloud Veil is more than just steel. It’s a mirrored catenary sculpture, reflecting the park’s activity back to itself. Imagine nine convex mirrors, catching the light and movement, transforming the everyday into a performance. Kids love to bounce on the blue “stage” beneath it, their laughter echoing around the park. The theatrical LED lighting adds to the magic, painting the sculpture with shifting colors. Even the paving pattern beneath our feet connects to the Cloud Veil. It’s inspired by the stainless steel mesh that forms the sculpture above, tying the whole space together. Sollod, a member of this community, made sure the park reflected the neighborhood’s desires. They envisioned a welcoming space for both formal events and casual gatherings. And that’s exactly what the Cloud Veil helps create. It’s a focal point, a conversation starter, a place where the community can gather and connect. The Cloud Veil isn’t just reflecting the park, it’s reflecting us, our community, and the vibrant life that flows through it.