Art Exposed Old Town 2027-2029

The City of Florence seeks eight vibrant sculptures for Historic Old Town on the Oregon Coast. 

The 2027-2029 cycle of the Art Exposed Rotating Outdoor Art Gallery will install eight vibrant sculptures in Historic Old Town Florence through Art Exposed Old Town. Once selected, the art is scheduled to be installed in February 2027 and be on display through 2029.

Artists can apply until December 4, 2026, through Call for Entry (CaFÉ). There is a $25.00 application fee. Chosen artists will receive a stipend of $1,500.00 and the chance to show their work to thousands of people who visit or live on the central Oregon Coast.

The City of Florence is pleased to invite emerging, mid-career and established artists to submit work to the Public Arts Committee’s program, Art Exposed: A Rotating Outdoor Art Gallery, https://www.ci.florence.or.us/art-exposed. Florence is offering artists an opportunity to display their work throughout the Historic Old Town district for a two-year period. The Committee is seeking vibrant, exciting public art pieces that have presence.

Florence’s Old Town is host to over one million visitors a year, with popular restaurants, galleries and shops along the Siuslaw River. The Art Exposed program generates community pride, provides artists a display with high visibility, stimulates conversations about art, promotes Florence as a destination to view public art, and creates a sense of place for our community members and visitors.

The City of Florence’s Public Arts Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers composed of local artists, business owners, and long-term supporters of the arts. Since its inception in 2015, the Committee has placed dozens of pieces of art, including a large-scale mural and six complete rounds of Art Exposed. The rotating gallery now has 14 locations total.

In this 2027-2029 call-to-artists, the City of Florence will be seeking art for eight locations in Historic Old Town, which have specific dimensions and particular requirements. While on display, the pieces will be for sale and will be included in marketing materials. Art Exposed has been one of the most successful programs of the Public Arts program, providing members of the local artist community and national and international artists with an opportunity to display and sell their art.

Artists are offered a stipend of $1,500 to provide their work for a maximum of two years. During the two-year period, the art would be available for sale, with the City of Florence keeping a portion (30%) of the sale proceeds to support the future of the Public Arts Program. The artist will have the opportunity to replace any sold art with a new piece during the two-year timeframe.

General Project Information:

• Eight (8) locations for art have been selected by the Public Arts Committee, located within the Old Town district of Florence.
• Artists are allowed to submit one entry for each of the 8 locations.
• Each piece submitted will be part of a new application, and a $25.00 fee will be applied.
• Each selected artist will be provided a stipend for their piece of $1,500.00.
• Art displayed as part of the Art Exposed program must be available for sale to the public and be available for two years from date of installation.
• Should art be purchased prior to the completion of the contract timeline, the artist shall be given first opportunity to replace art with a suitable piece to be approved by the Public Arts Committee. If the artist chooses not to replace the work, the Committee will decide whether to open the space to a new artist through a new call-to-artist.
• The City of Florence provides bases for the art to be installed upon and Public Works crews are available to support installation with direction of the artist.
• All costs associated with transportation of the artwork to Florence, Oregon, will be the responsibility of the artist.
• All artwork must be the original design and artwork of the artists and suitable to be viewed by all ages.
• All artists must be over the age of 18 to apply.
• Selected artwork will be scheduled to be installed in March 2027. The schedule of installation will be adjusted based on location and artist, depending on the situation.
• The deadline for submission is December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST (9:59 p.m. PST).

The Committee determines by vote which location is most appropriate for the submitted piece, while also taking into account the artist’s preference in location.

With each application, please submit the following information:

• Location Number and Name (Please reference Location Information section)
• Title of Work
• Date Created
• Short Description of Work
• List Price (Please note, the City of Florence collects 30% of proceeds if the piece is purchased while on display)
• Detailed list of materials used
• Height
• Width of Widest Point
• Width of Base
• Total weight of the piece
• Artist’s history using these materials
• Recommended Maintenance Procedures & Schedule (repairs of possible damage and cleaning)
• A maximum 150-word artist statement for use in marketing materials and signage
• Other pertinent information (Including Veteran Preference for Location #1)

Location Information:

● Location #1 – Veterans Memorial Park

This location is at the City of Florence’s Veterans Memorial Park alongside the Siuslaw River. The park provides an opportunity for the public to view the piece during special veteran and community events, as well as every day. The piece will be close to lodging and foot traffic in town and the location overlooks the picturesque Siuslaw River Bridge. The art chosen for this location will be given preference to an American military veteran, or art that honors American veterans. 

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 10 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 5 feet wide
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds. The base at this location is approximately 2 feet tall.

● Location #2 – River Roasters

This location is on the west end of Bay Street, the main street of Old Town commerce. The base for this location is near a coffee shop patio, placed within native landscaping and seasonal flowers. This is a high-traffic location in a busy part of Old Town, where people walk to restaurants and shops. This spot is a vista point for the Siuslaw River Bridge, visible from the installation spot at the local Rain Garden and Interpretive Site.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 4 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #3 – Rain Garden

This show-stopping location is set in the middle of the Rain Garden between Bay Street and the Siuslaw River. The art pedestal has been built into the native landscaping to be viewed by multiple points on a walkway. This allows the selected art to frame the historic, art deco Siuslaw River Bridge in the background and work with the natural colors of the seasonal Rain Garden. This location is near both Location #2 and #4, connected by a walkway and sidewalk.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 12 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 5 feet at the base
• Weight: Cannot exceed 500 pounds
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #4 – Interpretive Center East

Location #4 is on the eastern side of the Siuslaw River Interpretive Center. This space is in front of pine trees and near the City of Florence’s holiday tree, which is decorated each December. Two walkways frame this installation area, which has nearly 360-degree visibility. Nearby trees are trimmed to expose art at this location. Many people walk past this location every day to view the Siuslaw River Bridge or visit popular neighboring restaurants and shops in the Old Town District.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 5 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #5 – Gazebo Park Plaza

Gazebo Park, also known as Old Town Park, offers views of both the City’s vintage white gazebo and the Siuslaw River. This art location is at the entrance to Gazebo Park near brickwork and tucked into trees and native shrubbery. This work is mainly seen from the front of the shaded plaza area. Visitors often take time to sit on the benches located right under this piece. It is located in the middle of the highly trafficked main street in Old Town.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 7 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #6 – Secret Garden

Tucked into the native landscaping inside Gazebo Park, this location is in a raised planter bed along a brick pathway. This leads to the gazebo and a deck overlooking both the Siuslaw River Bridge and a historic ferry landing. The selected work will be framed by two different walkways that intersect, allowing views from both the front and the back of the art. The installation area is mostly shaded and contains shrubs and native rhododendrons alongside an open, grassy area and a slate paver pathway.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 4 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #7 – Maple Street Park

This eye-catching location is at the entrance of Old Town’s Maple Street Park, which contains local restrooms and access to the Port of Siuslaw’s crabbing and fishing docks. This high-traffic area, right along the sidewalk of Bay Street, is at a busy intersection where people access restaurants, shops, and the local Florence Farmers Market. This paved mini park has benches, a maple tree that branches over the park area, and trees and rhododendrons that provide a colorful, seasonal backdrop for the many visitors.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 6 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

● Location #8 – Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Lawn Entrance

In the grassy lawn of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center on Maple Street, this location welcomes visitors to the Old Town District. It is also near the City of Florence’s recently completed multi-million-dollar streetscape project that expanded sidewalks, repaved the highway, increased walkability, and brought public art to the highway. This location is near the entrance to a public parking lot and the busy Visitor Center. Just north of the placement of this work is the Maple Street Plaza, another Art Exposed location.

Maximum Dimension Requirements:

• Height: No more than 10 feet tall
• Width: Cannot exceed 3 feet at the base
• Art must include a way to secure to the City’s 36-inch diameter steel plate, either through tabs or welds.

Eligibility and Design Guidelines:

• All artists must be over eighteen (18) years old to be eligible.
• There is no required theme for most locations; creativity and innovation of designs are encouraged.
• Artwork must submit photographs of the specific art that is being entered. Work-in-progress must be at least 75% completed and photographs of the work in progress must be submitted. Mock ups, models, drawings, or concepts are not accepted for this Call.
• Please be sure to provide photos showing multiple angles of your work. Artists may also provide a video showcasing the piece.
• Entries must be the original design and artwork of the entrant. Designs must not include any breach of intellectual, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational brandings, or imagery of violence, drugs, and alcohol.
• Entries must be suitable for viewing for all ages.
• Artwork submitted may not be used for advertisement or to promote a business, product or viewpoint.
• Artists may submit work on their own or as part of a team.
• Artwork can be of any medium but must be able to withstand coastal weather conditions including wind and seasonal rain, as well as resistance to theft, vandalism, excessive maintenance and repair costs.
• Artwork cannot exceed 500 pounds in total weight.
• Artwork must include a way to attach to the steel base provided by the City of Florence on top of the concrete art plinth.
• Each work will be evaluated to require that it does not present a hazard to public safety and must conform to ADA standards

Evaluation Criteria:

Art submitted to the Art Exposed program will be evaluated on five criteria categories:

1. Visual Impact
   1. The unique organization of art elements, content, and execution create a striking and memorable work. This project has the power to “wow” the viewer.
2. Interpretation & Criteria
   1. The design shows unique and creative interpretation of the concept and was continued until it was as complete as possible. Effort is far beyond that required, with great attention to details.
3. Composition & Design
   1. Shows and effectively utilizes knowledge of the elements and principles of design. The design effectively fills the entire space.
4. Craftsmanship
   1. Demonstrates a mastery of skill and a clear understanding and application of specific medium qualities. The design is beautiful and complete.
5. Adherence to Design Criteria & Eligibility Guidelines
   1. All criteria of assignment have been met. Artist demonstrates the best example of following directions for assignment.