Calls for Art

The City of Stanwood purchased a 0.11-acre parcel on the eastern edge of Stanwood’s main street business district and near the Amtrak train station for an urban business district park and entry point for visitors arriving by train. The City acquired the downtown park site as part of the Twin City Mile Downtown Revitalization Project, envisioning the creation of an urban, hard-surfaced park that would serve as a welcoming space for shoppers and visitors to pause, relax, and enjoy their surroundings.

 

A key feature of Depot Park will be the inclusion of a public art piece designed to compliment and enhance the urban park concept described herein.

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Park Design:

Key elements of the park include:

• A combination of covered and open seating areas for relaxation and socializing;

• A multi-purpose shelter that can function as a picnic area, performance stage, or event space;

• A signature art feature;

• Wayfinding signage; and

• Dedicated space for the holiday tree.

 

The overall intent of the project is to establish a vibrant and welcoming downtown space that supports and compliments the business district and provides a functional community gathering space.

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The Depot Park design pays homage to several defining themes of Stanwood, reflecting the city’s historic Norwegian heritage through the shelter’s architectural style and honoring Stanwood’s early history. The design also compliments the Twin City Mile by incorporating brick pavers as the primary hard surface material.

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The art feature will be prominently located at the southwest corner of the park, adjacent to 271st Street, along “Main Street.” Positioned at this key entry point, the artwork will serve as a welcoming landmark for visitors, shoppers, and community members alike.

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​Download the full Depot Park Call for Art Narrative here (with helpful graphics!)

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Project Vision:

Designed to draw attention and invite exploration, the piece will embody the character of Stanwood’s downtown, reflecting both its cultural heritage and the City’s vision for a vibrant, connected community space. As part of the park’s entry experience, the art will help create a sense of arrival and contribute to the overall identity of Depot Park as a gathering place for all.

 

The Depot Park art piece will serve as a signature element within the downtown public space, thoughtfully scaled to compliment its surroundings and enhance the park’s welcoming character. Design should be both visually engaging and approachable, the artwork will invite interaction and encourage visitors to explore, touch, and experience it up close.

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The designated area for the art piece measures approximately 20 feet by 25 feet, totaling around 475 square feet. The artwork must be designed to fit comfortably within these dimensions while maintaining ADA-compliant access around its perimeter. This ensures that the installation remains accessible and inclusive for all visitors, allowing unobstructed circulation throughout the park.

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Themes:

The proposed art piece should honor and celebrate the spirit of Stanwood by reflecting themes that connect to the city’s history, rural roots, and cultural heritage. Artists are encouraged to explore interpretations that acknowledge Stanwood’s agricultural traditions, its close relationship with the natural environment, and its historic Norwegian influences. The artwork should convey a strong sense of place and be family friendly, recognizing the city’s past while complementing its vision for a vibrant and welcoming downtown.

 

Materials:

The artwork should be designed with durability, safety, and long-term maintenance in mind, appropriate for a permanent outdoor installation in a public park setting. Materials must withstand the Pacific Northwest climate, including rain, sun exposure, and seasonal temperature changes. The piece should be securely installed and constructed to prevent climbing hazards or sharp edges.

 

Artists are encouraged to consider how the public will experience and interact with the work. The piece may invite touch or engagement while maintaining accessibility and clear pedestrian circulation. Proposals should also demonstrate sensitivity to the park’s existing design features and complement the surrounding landscape, architecture, and pedestrian flow.

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Selection and Approval Process:

 

Selection Criteria:

Artists, or artist teams, will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence and originality – Demonstrated ability to create visually compelling, conceptually strong, and contextually relevant artwork.

• Relevance to theme – How well the proposed concept reflects Stanwood’s history, rural roots, cultural heritage, and community identity.

• Quality and durability of materials – Suitability of materials for long-term outdoor display, safety, and minimal maintenance.

• Integration with site – Compatibility of the design with Depot Park’s layout, aesthetics, and pedestrian flow.

• Community connection – Potential of the artwork to engage, inspire, and resonate with residents and visitors.

• Interaction – Opportunity for the community to interact with the artwork, explore, touch, and experience it, up close.

• Professional experience – Past success with similar public art projects, including ability to meet budgets, timelines, and technical requirements.

 

Submission Requirements:

Interested artists or artist teams are invited to submit the following materials for consideration:

1. Letter of Interest (1–2 pages) describing your artistic approach, interest in the project, and how your work aligns with the themes of Stanwood’s history and community identity.

2. Concept Proposal including 5-10 preliminary sketches, renderings, and written descriptions illustrating your design intent and vision for the site.

3. Resume or CV highlighting relevant public art experience.

4. Portfolio of at least 10 previous works, including title, medium, dimensions, location, and year completed.

5. Budget for the project, inclusive of all costs, including: the artist’s design fee, materials, fabrication, engineering, transportation, installation, insurance, permits, structural engineering, travel, and any other related expenses.

Submissions must be received by 11:59pm on February 6th and should comply with all formatting and file-size requirements outlined in the full call for artists. 

 

Review Process:

The City of Stanwood is commissioning the Depot Park artwork through SCAAC. 

 

The selection and design review process will include the following steps:

1. Review of Artist Submittals and Qualifications – Evaluation of applicants’ experience, artistic merit, and compatibility with the project goals.

2. Review of Concept Design – Assessment of proposed themes, materials, and design intent for alignment with the Depot Park vision.

3. Selection of Artist – Formal recommendation of the artist or artist team to move forward with design development.

4. Review of Preliminary Design – Consideration of refined design concepts, materials, and site integration details.

5. Approval of Final Design – Final review for consistency with project objectives.

 

Budget:

A total budget of $50,000 has been allocated for the design, fabrication, and installation of the public art piece at Depot Park. This amount is all-inclusive and must cover all costs associated with the project, including the artist’s design fee, materials, fabrication, engineering, transportation, installation, insurance, permits, structural engineering, travel, and any other related expenses. No additional funds will be available beyond this amount. Artists should ensure that their proposals are realistic and achievable within the stated budget.

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Timeline: 

The deadline for the call for art is 11:59pm on February 6, 2026. The selected artist will be notified by March 2026. Installation will take place in October 2026 following reviews with the City Council. 

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Application:
Preference will be given to artists living and working in Stanwood, Camano Island, and Snohomish County.

Please apply via our website at this form:

https://forms.wix.com/r/7396327164498411522

 

​Download the full Depot Park Call for Art Narrative here (with helpful graphics!). Please reach out to SCAAC with any questions at callforart@scaacwa.org. 

Washington Art Education Association (WAEA) members are hosting a Youth Art Month Design Contest! The winning design will be printed on shirts and other gear. Most importantly, it will represent our state at the National Art Education Convention!  Entries are due January 16th. 

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Theme: “The World Needs Art”         

*Participating educators must be a current member of the WAEA and can submit up to 10 student entries.

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There will be 4 category winners:​

• Primary level winner (transitional K through 4th grade)

• Middle level winner (5th - 8th grade)

• High School Level winner (9th - 12th grade)

• Overall Top Prize Winner (transitional K - 12th grade)

 

Overall Top Design: will be printed on a flag and hung at the 2026 NAEA Convention (March 5-7) in Chicago, IL, winning student will receive the $100 Charlene Dixon Scholarship from the WAEA.

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All Winning Entries: will be featured at the OSPI Superintendent's Art Show Reception in May, receive a Certificate of Recognition from WAEA, be featured on the WAEA website, on social media and press releases, AND be featured in Splatter Magazine. The WAEA Art Educators Winners will receive free registration to WAEA 2026 Fall Conference.​

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Winners and their educators will be notified on or before Jan. 24th via email and on social media! 

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Questions or issues uploading? You can also email entries AND release forms to Nicole Dibble, YAM Chair at yam@waea.net. More information and the submissions link can be found here:

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetuwuFmOGPx-GFug-BaD9E01KRQKZkI-HrSIan6GgdMu9n5A/viewform?pli=1

Snohomish County Arts Commission has opened a call for artists for the 2026 Soccer Ball Hunt! This countywide public art project coincides with major international soccer events coming to our region next year, which will bring many visitors and added visibility to Snohomish County. We will be installing five large-scale soccer ball sculptures that will be designed and painted by local artists as a way for us to celebrate our communities, our heritage, and our connection to the wider world through art.

 

This is a paid opportunity that directly supports our local creative sector. We are looking for artists who want to bring their vision and talent to a project that captures the spirit of Snohomish County. If you are an artist who might be interested, or if you know others in your community who would be a great fit, please share this opportunity! The full call for artists, including eligibility and application details, is available on our website: www.SnoCoArts.org/soccer