Steve Nagode Bio
Artist Statement & Vision
“An engineer with the mind of an artist”.
I spent my career at REI, most recently as a Senior Innovation Engineer, where I tested, refined, and prototyped the outdoor gear people rely on. Today, I bring that same problem-solving mindset to metal art and public art inspired by nature, movement, and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
I’m deeply passionate about the outdoors and bicycling. Since my first job in middle school, my bike has been my primary form of transportation. Before I was old enough to drive, bikes represented freedom and they still do. Cycling remains both my physical and mental therapy, a space where my clearest thoughts emerge and my greatest adventures begin.
Sea kayaking and living off the water are another core passion of mine. Few things compare to a day spent exploring by canoe or kayak, taking in the scenery and rhythms of the sea. I’ve paddled and fished along nearly the entire coast of Vancouver, BC, including Vancouver Island during multi-week expeditions that deepen my connection to the Pacific Northwest and its coastal ecosystems.
I began welding, tinkering, and building in high school. That early love of problem-solving led me to study Mechanical Engineering in college, and a job offer from Boeing brought me from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. From there, I spent most of my career as an Innovation Engineer at REI. I am a Washington State–certified welder and hold a bicycle frame-building certificate from the United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, Oregon. I was also the owner of Bugaboo Bike and Kayak in Snohomish, Washington.
While preparing for the Washington State Welding Exam at Green River College, I met Greg Bartol of Studio B. I supplied Greg and his team with bicycle components, and he encouraged me and those around him to explore art welding and metal sculpture. He is a mentor that helped shape my artistic path.
My metal artwork is inspired by the creatures that call the West Coast home: ravens, crabs, salmon, sea otters, and octopus. Most pieces incorporate at least one reclaimed bicycle component that once served a functional purpose and was diverted from the waste stream, blending sustainability, movement, and storytelling into every sculpture.
My hope is that you enjoy each unique, custom-made piece as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Public Exhibits & Awards
- Olympia, WA – Percival Landing Plinth Project 2026 – Playful Otter, June 2026
- Maple Valley, WA – Maple Valley Days Arts Festival– Original Sassquatch, Playful Otter – June 2026
- Federal Way, WA – Art Explosion, 2026 – Original Sassquatch, Playful Otter, May 2026
- Castlegar, BC Canada – City of Castlegar Sculpturewalk 2026 – Returning Salmon – Expanded May 2026
- Newport Beach, OR – City of Newport Art Seen Rotating Art program – Giant Pacific Octopus in a Ring March 2026
- Federal Way City Hall, Federal Way, WA, Top 3 Finalist for Public Art Federal Way; Original Sasquatch Family November 2025
- Lakewood City Hall, Lakewood, WA, Lakewood Public Art Exhibit with Diane Aoki – August – September 2025
- Bainbridge Island City Hall, Bainbridge Island, WA, Something New VIII – Giant Pacific Octopus July 2025
- Maple Valley, WA, Maple Valley Arts Festival, Doug Fir Sitting Bench – winner of the Jurors Choice award,
Sproctopus – winner of the Kathy (Parnello) Metzger memorial award June 2025 - Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, Federal Way, WA – Arts Explosion – 2nd place Jury award for Octopus
rounding a corner May 2025 - Issaquah – Open Window School – Shark and Song Bird playground art January 2025
- Cannon Beach, Oregon – Earth and Ocean Festival – September 2024
- Tacoma Glass Museum – Glass Fest August 2024
- Olympia Downtown – Percival Plinth Project – Salmon Sculpture July 2024 – July 2025
- Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, Federal Way, WA – Arts Explosion – 2nd place Jury award and 1st place
Peoples Choice, May 2024 - Postmark Center for the Arts, Auburn WA, RENEWAL: Historic Roots and Artistic Growth December 2023 –
January, 2024 - Auburn – Downtown Public Art, Swimming Salmon, September 1 2023 – September 2024
- Fogue Gallery, Seattle, Seattle Recycled Art Show July – August, 2023
- Heritage Coffee and Plant House, Local Artists show, 2310 Court A, Tacoma, WA May – June 2023
- Patagonia Retail Store, Orca Action Month, Seattle, WA, May – June 2023
- University of Puget Sound, Honor: People and Salmon, Tacoma, WA. March-April 2023
- Tacoma Light Trail – Jan 2023
Commissions
- Entertainment Center frame for Michael Davis, Seattle WA December 2025
- Custom Sign and Bell with stand for Culps C 3 SmokeHouse, Puyallup, WA. December 2025
- Golf Tee Markers for Olympia Country and Golf Club, May 2025
- Cable Tree for the Private Collection of Darren Wiley, West Seattle, January 2024
- Zen Garden Bell for Anika and Mark in Marine Hills, June 2023
- Stainless Steel and Copper Seahorse for Aiko in Marine Hills May 2023
- Design and Fabrication of Ladder and Railing for Loft Space, D&K, April 2023
- Molar Tooth Sculpture for Federal Way Laser Dentistry, Federal Way, WA. February 2023
Community Engagement
- Branch Out – Fundraiser for the Pacific Bonsai Museum at which I donated a Peaceful Garden Bell with stand as an
auction item. 2025 - 2nd Cycle Community Bike Shop – For the past three years I have attended and donated art pieces as auction items for their annual fundraiser Bike stories. Also designed and created their “Emmy-like” awards. 2023 to present.
- NWAAE – Northwest Artists Against Extinction – Member of a creative collection of artists who value healthy rivers and salmon abundance. 2023 to present
- ArtsWA Public Arts Roster – A pre-qualified list of professional visual artists. 2025 to present
Gallery Art
- House of Orange Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR. Permanent exhibits and works for sale. January 2024 to
present. - Miska Studio Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR. Permanent exhibits and works for sale. June 2022 to
December 2024.
Education
- Milwaukee School of Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering
- Registered Professional Engineer Mechanical Engineering in Washington State
- WABO (Washington Association of Building Officials) Certified Welder
- Studio B Custom Design Studio – Lake Tapps Artists collective 2018 – Present
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Green Associate 2024
- Board Member – Green River College Welding Advisory Board