There is Art Coming to the Skate Park!
The City of Port Townsend Creative District has received a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) to paint murals at the Seamus Sims Skate Park!
The Park is located at 250 Monroe Street in downtown Port Townsend at the heart of our Creative District. The project is expected to take place during the second half of 2026. The Call for Artists closed on May 25th and applications are now being reviewed. There is a $49,550 budget for this project, including a $30,000 artist commission. The murals are expected to cover approximately 1,700 square feet of vertical concrete wall spread over several expanses and smaller features in the park and do not include any skateable surfaces.
Congratulations to the artist chosen for this project!
Jesse Joshua Watson
Want to learn more?
Skate Park Mural Info and Input Session
with Jesse Joshua Watson
Saturday, August 1st, 5:00-8:00
at the Seamus Sims Skate Park
Other ways to be involved
Want to give your thoughts online?
Interested in signing up for painting days?
Have questions?
Short video about the project
Some background and details about the project
More Details
What's happening?
Each year, the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) offers the opportunity for Creative Districts across the state to apply for grants to create new art or artistic resources inside their districts. Inspired in part by the incredible community response to the Outsiders Street Art Project on the Memorial Field fence, the City of Port Townsend, through the municipally-managed Creative District, applied for funds to paint murals at the Seamus Sims Skate Park. As a City-owned park within the Creative District boundaries, this public resource felt like a perfect place for more community creativity to blossom.
In February, ArtsWA announced it would award $30,000 for this project. Using the City’s Art in Public Places Policies and Procedures, the Public Art Committee of the Port Townsend Art Commission began the process of assembling an Artist Selection Panel, as well as using the grant parameters and guidelines to refine the scope of the project.
In addition demonstrating their ability to create the murals themselves, applicants are asked to submit a plan for community engagement that shows how they will involved Skate Park users and other stakeholders in development of the creative work. Murals are slated to be painted only on vertical walls around the park, and not on any skateable surfaces.
An artist or artist team will be chosen in June 2026, and the project is expected to begin in July 2026 and continue throughout the summer and fall.
How can I learn more?
Please read the Call for Artists and Press Release for the most detailed information about this project. There are also scheduled times for the public to learn more and weigh in on the process:
Skate Park Mural Info and Input Session with Jesse Joshua Watson
Saturday, August 1st, 5:00-8:00 at the Seamus Sims Skate Park
You can always reach out directly with questions by emailing arts@cityofpt.us or calling (360) 385-3000 x5098.