Temporary Sculpture Exhibition - Oakley, California

Local Edition Creative, in partnership with the City of Oakley, CA, invites submissions for the city's first-ever public art program. We are selecting temporary outdoor sculptures for a one-year exhibition to activate a two-block corridor along Main Street, including the plaza in front of City Hall.

Incorporated in 1999, Oakley is one of California’s youngest and fastest-growing cities. This inaugural project aims to demonstrate the power of public art while establishing our newest civic partner as a place for arts & culture. We are seeking engaging, durable outdoor works that complement the downtown corridor, enhance a sense of place, and resonate with the family-friendly community.

*Deadline for Submissions: October 25, 2026 at 11:59PM Pacific Time

*We changed to a rolling call as this will be a good chance for us to acquire potential submissions for other programs we are running. However, this week is the deadline for the spring installations in Oakley.

Local Edition Creative, in partnership with the City of Oakley, CA, invites submissions for the city's first-ever public art program. We are selecting temporary outdoor sculptures for a one-year exhibition to activate a two-block corridor along Main Street, including the plaza in front of City Hall.

Incorporated in 1999, Oakley is one of California’s youngest and fastest-growing cities. This inaugural project aims to demonstrate the power of public art while establishing our newest civic partner as a place for arts & culture. We are seeking engaging, durable outdoor works that complement the downtown corridor, enhance a sense of place, and resonate with the family-friendly community.

SELECTION CRITERIA - 

Durability: Artworks must be engineered to safely withstand full outdoor exposure and heavy weather elements for a 12-month exhibition cycle.

Framework: This program is similar in scope to other established rotating public art models familiar to many artists, including the Hood River Sculpture Walk, Lake Oswego’s Downtown Public Art Program, ArtScape in Palm Springs, and Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park.

Aesthetic Direction: We want work that operates synergistically with the local environment. While ultra-modern, slick "gallery style" pieces may not match the context of Downtown Oakley, we highly encourage submissions packed with high creativity and a sense of whimsy.

Themes & Materials: Sculptures that feature animal or nature-based subjects fit well with the local identity. We are also highly interested in innovative artwork that utilizes reclaimed or repurposed parts.

About the Art Consultants: Local Edition Creative

Local Edition Creative has spent more than a decade creating impactful public art opportunities. Based in the East Bay of San Francisco (Contra Costa County) the creative studio has delivered over 200 projects to date, spanning murals, temporary and permanent sculpture programs, and full-scale cultural art initiatives. LEC’s comprehensive practice covers municipal public art program management, curatorial direction, artist procurement, and strategic planning. Our work is grounded equally in aesthetic theory and the practical application required to get public art successfully funded, built, and maintained.

Our studio has a proven track record of pioneering inaugural civic programs and driving economic growth. Recently, Local Edition Creative developed and produced the City of San Rafael’s first public art program within its designated California Cultural District. Furthermore, LEC’s landmark partnership with the City of Concord won the prestigious 2024 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities, recognizing outstanding achievement in economic development through the arts.

localeditioncreative.com
@localeditionmktg

This program is specifically seeking medium-sized, freestanding sculptures rather than large-scale monumental works. Artworks should ideally include an existing integrated base. However, the City can fabricate a dedicated concrete pad for selected pieces if required. A forklift can be provided on-site for installation if needed. Please review the specific dimensions and footprint details for our four downtown locations below (and reference the attached Site Plan).

• Location 1: City Hall Plaza 
  • Footprint: Can accommodate a concrete pad up to 5’(L) x 5’(W) x 8”(D)
  • Notes: This location is ideal for and can accommodate taller sculptures up to 11 feet and 10' wide

• Location 2: South Main Street (Adjacent to Civic Center Park)
  • Footprint: Maximum allowance of 6’(L) x 3’(W) for freestanding works
  • Notes: A concrete base can be fabricated to fit these exact dimensions if required

• Location 3: Main Street (Near Chrome Coffee & Oakley Mercantile)
  • Footprint: Can accommodate a concrete pad up to 4’(L) x 4’(W) x 8”(D)
  • Notes: Highly visible pedestrian zone adjacent to a bus stop and directly facing popular local outdoor patios

• Location 4: Main Street (Adjacent to La Costa Taqueria)
  • Footprint: Can accommodate a concrete pad up to 5’(L) x 5’(W) x 8”(D)
  • Notes: The City will clear a tree and level the ground for placement. This is the only location that can accommodate ground anchors and features the potential for architectural uplighting

~Please note what your concrete pad specifications are, if applicable~

TEMPORARY SCULPTURE CRITERIA:

Existing Artwork Only: Submissions must be existing, complete, and ready for installation with only minor modifications required. No speculative work or conceptual renderings will be accepted.

Public Safety & Fabrication: Sculptures must be suitable for 360-degree viewing and safe for public interaction. Works must be stable, structural, and free of sharp edges or hazardous components.

Durability & Engineering: Artworks must be constructed of highly durable, weather-resistant materials engineered to safely withstand full outdoor exposure and seasonal elements.

Electrical Elements: Artworks requiring electricity are welcome. However, applicants must explicitly detail all power and long-term maintenance requirements in their submission.

Installation: If a cement base is supplied, Artist is responsible for bolting their artwork to the base onsite. You may of course provide your own base if you have one.

Logistics & Timeline: The artist or their designated representative must deliver, install, deinstall and remove the artwork in person. Selected artists must commit to keeping their sculpture on display for the full 12-month exhibition cycle (precise installation and removal dates will be coordinated upon selection).

Liability & Insurance: The City of Oakley, Local Edition Creative, and their respective partners assume no responsibility for damages to the artwork during the exhibition period. Artists are highly encouraged to maintain independent liability for their work.

(If you want to submit more than one sculpture for consideration, please put them on a documnet to upload in the specs section).