Port Angeles Fine Arts Center

Hosted by the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center (PAFAC)•  Rolling proposal review & notifications; deadline April 20th
 

This will be a permanent installation in Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park

Installation Time Frame: May 26- June 7, 2025

Artist Stipend: Up to $5,000

The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center seeks proposals for 2-5 outdoor-friendly FUNCTIONAL artwork that will be permanently installed in Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park. 

Overview: Everything in our natural landscape serves a function, from leaves that help the tree’s breathe to roots that draw water from the soil, the natural world is defined by functionality. Even to humans, nature offers practical benefits- a sturdy stump becomes a seat, a canopy of leaves proceeds shade for a perfect picnic. Inspired by this symbiotic relationship, the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center invites artists to create outdoor- friendly, functional sculptures that will become a permanent part of Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park. 

This year’s Summertide sculpture installations celebrate art that serves a purpose. With the park’s newly completed ADA-accessible trail, there are abundant opportunities to create works that enhance visitors’ experiences while harmonizing with the natural surroundings. Artists are encouraged to imagine sculptures that offer utility, inspire interaction, and deepen visitors' connection to the environment. Examples might include an artistic bench designed for birdwatching, a whimsical table evoking a tree snag for family picnics, or a creative gathering space where community and nature meet.

Submissions should have:

• Function: Offer a practical use while maintaining artistic integrity.
• Integration: Reflect and complement the natural beauty of the park.
• Durability: Be constructed of materials suited for long-term outdoor exposure.
• Accessibility: Provide an inclusive experience for a diverse range of visitors.

Inspiration for Artists:

• A sculptural bench that doubles as a storytelling nook.
• A musical installation activated by wind or visitors’ touch.
• A shaded pavilion or seating area inspired by natural forms.
• A unique picnic table that encourages gathering and connection.

By blending art and utility, this exhibit seeks to redefine how visitors experience Webster’s Woods—as a space where creativity and nature converge to serve and inspire.

Existing pieces as well as proposals for new works will be considered. The selected works will be permanently installed among more than 100 existing sculptures throughout the park’s 5 acres of forested parkland and open meadow. Applicants are encouraged to visit Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park to experience firsthand the park’s rugged terrain, second-growth Olympic forest, and striking views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Eligibility:

Open to all artists and artist teams residing within the United States. Artist teams please designate one primary contact person for your group. We welcome entries from youth and emerging artists. 

Artwork must be:

• Functional (ie. bench, table, bike rack, etc.)
• The artist or artist team’s own original work
• Suitable for viewers and users of all ages
• Able to withstand adverse weather conditions throughout the year
• Soundly constructed and firmly anchored to prevent theft and ensure public safety
• PAFAC will work with Artist to make sure the artwork is anchored into the ground upon installation. 
• Leave a minimal footprint in the woods 
• Be constructed from materials that will not degrade or harm the surrounding plant or animal life.
• Materials strongly suggested: metal, rock, treated wood. 

Terms & Conditions:

• Selected functional sculptures will be permanently displayed in Webster’s Wood.
• Upon installation, the PAFAC is the owner of the artwork. 
• If the artwork becomes no longer suitable for Webster’s Woods, the PAFAC will contact the artist to either come repair or take back their work. 
• If the Artist is unable to be reached, the PAFAC will do with the artwork as they see fit. 
• Artists can request a stipend for their work. 
• Additional funding for travel or materials may be available on request. 
• Any images submitted or photographs taken of the artwork may be used by PAFAC for promotion and to encourage public engagement with the sculpture park
• Artwork that differs substantially from submitted image(s) or project proposals may not be installed.

Installation:

• Artists are solely responsible for transportation and installation of their work, to be ready for display by end of day on June 7th, 2025.
• Artists need to design a system to permanently attach their work to a base that the PAFAC will help install. 
• The PAFAC will work together with the artist to determine the location for the Functional work.

Exhibit Timeline:

Rolling Review & Acceptance begins once the call is live.

Final Entry Deadline: April 20, 2025

Final Notifications Sent: May 1, 2025

Installation Time Frame: May 26- June 7, 2025 *unless other arrangements are made

Summertide Sculpture Festival: June 14, 2025

Hosted by the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center (PAFAC)•  Rolling proposal review & notifications; deadline May 10th, 2025 •
 

You may submit up to 3 pieces

Exhibit Dates: July 18- September 7, 2025

Installation: July 7- 16, 2025

International Surf Days Festival: July 18, 2025

* The PAFAC will be hosting International Surf Days presented by the Surfrider Foundation

Exhibit Overview:

In the heart of a region where the streets cascade down from snow capped mountains to converge with the rhythm of the ocean we find a community deeply rooted to the joy and sustenance that this unique landscape offers. This Pacific Northwest confluence of land and sea has inspired a passion for outdoor adventures offered through surf, skate, and snow and a way of life for intrepid creatives that has been cultivated over generations. 

Surf, Skate, and Snow, explores the dynamic intersection of sport, design, and creative placemaking in harmony with the natural landscape. This exhibit showcases the work of regional and national artists, past and present who have drawn inspiration from the connected movement and reverence for the land that unfolds from these activities. From the artistic legacy of Esther Webster, the founder of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, who was a trailblazer in the early ski culture of the region, to those current artists using innovative mixed media design and eco-friendly experimental techniques to develop functional and inspiring works of art, their collective body of work reflects a shared value for the exhilarating ways our bodies and minds can move in harmony with our environment. 

The Artwork: 

The PAFAC is looking for eco-friendly designs and nature based artwork that is created on either a surfboard, skateboard, or snowboard/ skis, or inspired by any of these activities and the outdoors. This could include:

• Original, nature based, artwork that is painting on these objects
• Original, nature based, artwork that has been digitized and put onto these objects
• the art of shaping and making these objects

Artwork must:

• Have a hanging mechanism or else the piece will not be considered
• Be completed by the time of submission
• Be suitable for viewers of all ages
• Be the artists own original work

The artist is responsible for getting the artwork to the gallery.

Exhibit Timeline:

Rolling Review & Acceptance begins once the call is live

Finale entry Deadline: May 10th, 2025

Final Notifications Sent: May 31st, 2025

Installation Time Frame: July 7th- 16th, 2025

Exhibit Dates: July 17th- September 7th, 2025

The Wonders of Port Angeles- Community Inspired Mural on Race St. 

Port Angeles is known as the ultimate wilderness basecamp, rich with cultural heritage and natural beauty where the mountains meet the sea. We invite artists to join us in creating works that celebrate The Wonders of Port Angeles. Designs should highlight our city’s cultural vibrancy, unparalleled beauty, or showcase well-known landmarks and hidden gems. Additionally, as the Uptown Arts District (UAD) is tucked just below the Olympic Mountains at the leading edge of the Olympic National Park, we seek works that highlight our specific unique location.  

The UAD is seeking an artist or artist team to facilitate a community engagement process which will inform their decisions in creating a design for a mural to be painted in the Uptown Arts District neighborhood. 

Public Art Project Description:

The UAD is seeking an artist or artist team to collaborate with community stakeholders to design a mural for the Uptown Arts District neighborhood. The artist's role is to help facilitate a public outreach and community engagement session along with the UAD team to create a public work that celebrates Port Angeles.

Mural Location: The mural will be implemented on the cement retaining wall on upper Race Street. The 3ft tall wall is located on the west side of the road directly above the intersection of Race and Lauridsen Blvd. 

Scope of Work:

The mural process will occur in 3 phases:

• Phase One: (March- April)- Artist selected, planning meetings scheduled to develop date for community session. UAD will provide the public outreach/promotion and the artist will develop and facilitate a community engagement session for up to 50 people. 
• Phase Two: (April- May) Mural concept development, public vetting, and final design selected. 
• Phase Three: (June) Artist will complete the mural 

Key Elements:

Submitted works may be realistic or abstract in nature and we encourage featured elements such as:

• Bright and bold colors, reflecting the vibrant artistic mission of the UAD
• Flora and fauna, symbolizing our city's harmony with nature
• Iconic locations, honoring the placemaking history of Port Angeles
• Geometric and abstract shapes or Icon style imagery representing natural and vibrant cultural influences of our area

Color Palette:

We seek artwork that aligns with or complements the palette of the Uptown Arts District as defined below.

 Eligibility:

• Artwork must be suitable for all ages.
• Artwork must be the artist's original.

This call is open to individual artist or artist groups residing in the United States. The artist is expected to facilitate public engagement, the UAD team will consider proximity of the artist's location and availability of the artist to be present with the community of Port Angeles. 

Terms & Conditions:

• Artist will receive an honorarium of $5,000 
• Up to an additional $3,000 will be allotted to cover the cost of materials for the mural design.
• Up to $2,000 in travel, lodging, and food costs will be reimbursed to support travel associated with meetings and mural creation. 
• Artist will receive half of the honorarium at least two weeks prior to the start of the mural project. 
• Artist will receive the second half of the honorarium no later than two weeks after mural is complete.
• Artist and UAD representatives will meet twice per month prior to the start date of mural installation to support planning and facilitation. 
• Artist will leave a 1'x1' white square in bottom right corner of mural for UAD logo.

Artist Expectations for Work: 

• Quality – The consideration of highest priority is the inherent artistic excellence of the mural(s) artwork as well as representing a diverse range of appeal within the community.
• Timelessness – Mural(s) will be viewed as a long-term acquisition that should have aesthetic relevance to the community in future years and reflect enduring artistic quality.
• Site Compatibility & Appropriateness – Mural must be appropriate in scale, material form and content for both the immediate and general, social and physical environment in which the Mural will be placed.
• Elements of Design – The consideration that the Mural will serve to establish a significant focal point, define spaces, inspire community, conversation and connections, establish creative identity, and create a gateway, among other things.
• Permanence & Safety – Consideration will be given to permanence, protection against vandalism, weathering and excessive maintenance and repair costs.

Artist Qualifications:

1. Cooperation – Ability of the Mural artist to work closely and cooperatively with the UAD committee, community members, and City of Port Angeles staff. 
2. Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge and experience of public mural art and community facilitation. 
3. Presentation – Ability of the Mural artist to clearly describe concepts verbally and through quality written materials.
4. Technical Feasibility - Ability of the Mural artist to carry out the concepts described in the proposed Mural. 
5. Timeliness - Ability of the Mural artist to deliver the mural art according to the agreed schedule.
6. Aesthetic Standard - The UAD committee shall have the right to withhold recommending acceptance to City Staff until it clearly meets standards of artistic achievement agreed upon by UAD members.

Timeline:

Jan 23- Call for art opens

Feb 21- Call closes

March 1- Arts Committee meetings to select artist

March- Meeting held with selected artist and UAD leads to discuss timeline, process, and schedule for community session. 

April - Community session held to develop a vision for the community inspired mural. City permits completed. 

May- Designs developed

May 31- final design approved

June -  Mural installed