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 with the Call for Artists becoming available in early April. 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.
A selection committee of local stakeholders will choose an artist or artist team to create the murals. Finalists will present their ideas to the public–including how they plan to engage and incorporate ideas from Skate Park users and the community-at-large–on Tuesday, June 23rd at 5:30pm at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street.
An informational session for interested artists and community members is scheduled for Friday, April 10th at 3:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. This session was recorded and can be viewed here.
Please read before submitting an application
Portal to the application form
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:
Info Session for Interested Artists and Community MembersFriday, April 10th This session was recorded and can be viewed here.
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Public Presentations by FinalistsTuesday, June 23rd Up to three artists or artist teams will present their concepts. Community members will have the chance to offer feedback and comments for the selection panel to consider.
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Additionally, once an artist or artist team is chosen, their will be further opportunities for community engagement as the project develops. Please sign up for the City’s Arts & Culture newsletter to be sure you hear about these activities.
You can always reach out directly with questions by emailing arts@cityofpt.us or calling (360) 385-3000 x5098.
Who can apply?
The Call for Artists is open to individual artists or artist teams based in Jefferson County, Washington. We encourage all kinds of artists and artist teams to apply, including artists whose team includes community members, youth, or other kinds of partnerships that support the best possible project for the community and the final visual product.
Special consideration will be given to artists with a connection to the community of the Skate Park or with skate culture more broadly.
Visual artists who need accommodations for the written or verbal portion of their submittal should contact us for alternative ways to apply.
The Call for Artists is open until Monday, May 25th at 5:00 p.m. Artists are welcome to visit the Artist Resource Help Desk for support with their application or with any questions.