Call for Entry
City of Newport Bay Front / Coast Guard Wall Mural Panels
Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) is pleased to invite emerging, mid-career, and established artists to submit a design for one or more of the mural panels on the Bay Front, Coast Guard wall, in Spring 2026 as part of the City of Newport Public Arts Program. Selected artists will paint and help install their design.
General Project Information:
* Three murals will be commissioned.
– One mural will be made up of four 4’x8’ marine grade plywood panels (installed side by side vertically)
– Two murals will be of two 4’x8’ marine grade plywood panels (installed side by side vertically)
* Artists are allowed to submit for one, two or all three murals
* OCCA will provide the marine grade plywood, paint and varnish finish.
* All costs associated with transportation of the panels at the Bay Front, Newport, Oregon will be the responsibility of the artist.
* Installation of the panels will be conducted by the City of Newport Parks Department with artist assistance.
* All artwork must be the original design and artwork of the artist/s and be suitable for viewing by all ages.
* All artists must be over the age of 18 to apply.
* Selected murals must be completed for installation Spring 2026. Exact date TBD.
Timeline:
* Deadline for submission of application is December 19, 2025
* Artists award notification February 2026
* Installation Spring 2026 (exact date to be determined)
Compensation:
* Large mural, four 4’x8’ marine grade plywood panels – artist compensation $3200
* Small mural, two 4’x8’ marine grade plywood panels – artist compensation $1600
* Small mural, two 4’x8’ marine grade plywood panels – artist compensation $1600
Eligibility and Design Guidelines:
* All artists must be over eighteen (18) years old to be eligible. OCCA and the City of Newport Public Art program is open to all professional artists regardless of race, gender, age, belief or national origin.
* All artists must be residents of Lincoln County, OR.
* Entries must be the original design and artwork of the entrant. Designs must not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational brandings.
* Entries must be suitable for viewing for all ages. No images of sex, violence, drugs, or alcohol will be considered.
* Artwork submitted may not be used for advertisement or to promote a business, product, or viewpoint.
* Mural must include the following language: “This mural made possible by the City of Newport (logo) and OCCA (logo) through the Public Arts Program 2026”.
* Artists may submit work on their own and/or as part of a team.
* Any required maintenance is to be the responsibility of the artist for a term of 5 years.
Submission Information and Requirements:
* Artists are allowed to submit up to three design sketches per mural for consideration.
* There is no fee to apply.
Evaluation Criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated based on…
1. Visual Impact (50%)
A high score will be given to an artist who has uniquely organized the art elements and content and has created a striking and memorable piece of work.
2. Composition and Design (50%)
A high score will be given to a design that reflects Newport’s Historic Bay Front (coastal environment, history, fishing, ocean sciences, Coast Guard, etc.)
Location Information:
All three murals will be installed on the East wall of the Coast Guard complex on SW Bay St., Newport, OR.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE APPLICATION
Legal Agreement:
All artists must be 18 years of age to be eligible to apply. The chosen artists will be approved by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) based on application and submitted images. The PAAC approves art concepts, project scope and budget, thereby allowing the artist creative license within the established plan. The PAAC reserves the right to reject any and all applications. If a proposal is selected, the selected artists will be expected to sign a contract with OCCA. The Contract will include the artist granting the City of Newport ownership of the artwork after installation.