HomeMy WebLinkAbout060926 Community Invited to Skate Park Mural Presentations and Open Calls for Art
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Katy Goodman,Arts & Culture
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Coordinator, (360) 385-3000 x5098
kgoodman@cityofpt.us
COMMUNITY INVITED TO SKATE PARK MURAL PRESENTATIONS
ANDOPEN CALLS FOR ART
Multiple opportunities for artists and community engagement with the City this month.
PORT TOWNSEND –The Port Townsend Arts Commission and Creative District are pleased to
announce several events and opportunities to celebrate and support local artists this month. In
addition to providing input to the Seamus Sims Skate Park Mural Project, nominations are open
for the 2026 Port Townsend Art Awards, as is a Call for Artists to design and fabricate sculptural
trophies for the recipients. In addition, the City is seeking submissions for artists interested in
leadingan activity at the Uptown Street Fair in August.
LEARN ABOUT & PROVIDE INPUT TO THE SEAMUS SIMS SKATE PARK MURAL PROJECT
In response to a Request for Proposals issued by the City earlier this year, seventeenlocal
artists and artist teams submitted proposals to create new artwork on the walls of the Seamus
Sims Skate Park. The project is funded, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts
Commisssion. Proposals include both a concept for the art and outline a plan to engage the
community in the creative process.On Tuesday, June 23,from 5:30-7:00pmat the Cotton
Building, 607 Water Street, up to three finalists will present their proposals to the public as part
of the selection process. Comments from attendees will be reviewed by a panel of local
stakeholders to helpdetermine the artist chosen for the project.
The public is invited to kick off this exciting public art project and learn more at a free screening
of the 2005 film Lords of Dogtown on Wednesday, June 17, at 8:00pm at Key City Public
Theatre, 419 Washington Street. Presented by the Creative District, Port Townsend Film
Festival, and Key City Public Theatre, this biographical drama follows the lives of the Z-Boys, a
legendary group of teenage surfers from Venice Beach, California. Set in the 1970s, it portrays
how this group transformed skateboarding from a hobby into a global sport. This is not a
ticketed event and there is limited seating capacity.
PORT TOWNSEND ART AWARDS OPENS 2026 NOMINATIONS AND CALL FOR AWARD DESIGN
AND FABRICATION
Last year, the Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) reimagined its annual art awards to
include up to five recipients nominated by the community. The awards honor notable works of
art, artistic achievements, and arts events to celebrate those who have contributed to the arts
in Port Townsend and East Jefferson County. Individual artists, businesses, patrons, educators,
notable art-related events, and artistic achievements from individuals and organizations are all
eligible for nominations. Nominations for 2026 areopenfromJune 30through December 31.
PTAC has also announced a Call for Artists to design and fabricate six sculptural trophies for the
recipients. These works will be presented to the 2026 award winners and add to a new
collection of artist-designed awards, including ceramicist Victoria Power’s small marine-flora-
inspired works from 2025. The commission for this project is $1,500, including materials.
Proposals are due by July 31.
CALL FOR 2026 UPTOWN STREET FAIR ART ACTIVITY FACILITATOR
The City will participate in Port Townsend Main Street’s Uptown Street Fair on Saturday, August
15, from 10:00am-2:00pm. As part of the City’s Creative District representation at the event,
the City seeks an artist or artist team to lead a drop-in, all-ages arts or craft activity that is
hands-on, fun, and allows multiple participants to take part at the same time. Materials will be
supplied by the artist with the City providing tent, tables, and chairs. The Jefferson County
Farmers Market, Port Townsend Public Library, and other partners will also be leading hands-on
art activities in the same area. This project includes a $200 stipend to be paid after the event.
Project applications are due by July 12.
# # #
Learn more about the Seamus Sims Skate Park Mural Project:
https://ptcreativedistrict.org/skatepark/
Learn more about Lords of Dogtown:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355702/and
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/lords-of-dogtown
Learn more about the Art Awards and Call for Artists:
https://cityofpt.us/bc-ac/page/arts-awards
Learn more about the Uptown Street Fair and submit an activation project:
https://ptcreativedistrict.org/uptownfair