Newport Bayfront Restroom and Pump House Mural/Art

The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) is pleased to invite emerging, mid-career and established artists to submit a design for mural or other two dimensional art on the public restroom building at the corner of Lee St and Bay Blvd and the Pump House on the corner of Hatfield St and Bay Blvd. as part of the City of Newport Public Arts Program. 

One mural or other two dimensional art installation for the walls of the restroom will be commissioned consisting of:

All four sides of the building, excluding doors

The restroom is 7 ft tall x 8 ft wide and 19' long. It is approximately 266 sq ft.  The pump house is 10 ft tall x 18 ft wide x 33 ft long but does not include the back so it is approximately 840 sq ft. 

One mural or other two dimensional art installation for the walls of the pump house will be commissioned consisting of:

Front and two sides of the building, excluding doors and back side

The pump house is 10 ft tall x 18 ft wide x 33 ft long but does not include the back so it is approximately 840 sq ft. 

Both structures have walls made of highly textured, concrete hollow blocks which may be challenging for traditional murals.  See site plan for photo. Other two dimensional art that are attached to the walls will be considered.

Artist will supply all necessary materials, paint and anti graffiti varnish finish.  All materials, paint and varnish must be designed for outdoor art use in a coastal environment with salt air and high winds.

All costs associated with transportation to and accommodation in Newport, Oregon will be the responsibility of the artist.

All artwork must be the original design and artwork of the artist/s and be suitable for viewing by all ages.

All artists must be over the age of 18 to apply.

Timeline:

Deadline for submission of application: March 13, 2026

Artists award notification April, 2026

Installation Summer 2026 (exact date to be determined)

Restroom at Lee St and Bay Blvd. $8,000

Pump House at Hatfield St and Bay Blvd. $16,000

All artists must be over eighteen (18) years old to be eligible. OCCA and the City of Newport Public Art program is open to all professional artists regardless of race, gender, age, belief or national origin.  

Entries must be the original design and artwork of the entrant. Designs must not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational brandings. 

Entries must be suitable for viewing for all ages. No images of sex, violence, drugs, or alcohol will be considered.

Artwork submitted may not be used for advertisement or to promote a business, product, or viewpoint.

Art must include the following language: “This mural made possible by the City of Newport (logo) and OCCA (logo) through the Public Arts Program 2026”. 

Artists may submit work on their own and/or as part of a team.

Any required maintenance is to be the responsibility of the artist for a term of 5 years.

Artists are allowed to submit up to three sketches of their design for consideration.

There is a $25 fee to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

Visual Impact (40%)

A high score will be given to an artist who has uniquely organized the art elements and content and has created a striking and memorable piece of work. 

Composition and Design (40%)

A high score will be given to a design that reflects Newport’s Historic Bay Front (coastal environment, history, fishing, ocean sciences, Coast Guard, etc.) and integrates poetry into the design somehow

Artist Experience (10%)