Call for Sculpture - Percival Plinth Project 2023

The City of Olympia is seeking up to 18 loaned sculptures from Washington and Oregon state artists for temporary outdoor display on Percival Landing, a waterfront park at the southernmost end of the Puget Sound in view of the state capitol located in Olympia, WA. Selected artists receive a $1,000 honorarium for the one-year loan of their work and are eligible for consideration for the Peoples' Prize purchase award of up to $10,000, where one sculpture is selected for purchase by public vote and added to the City's public art collection.

Eligibility: Washington and Oregon state sculptors, 18 years of age or older. Artists may not submit works previously exhibited on the Percival Plinths. Each sculpture submitted must be available for exhibition June 2023-June 2024. Artists may submit up to two entries, with three to five slides each. Sculpture must be made of durable materials and finishes intended for exterior exhibition, including bronze, aluminum, steel, stone and concrete. Works must be maintenance-free, graffiti resistant, and able to be attached to the connector plate by the artist. Maximum weight allowed is 1000 lbs., with a center of gravity within 9" of the center of base plate and within 42" of the top of the base plate.

All works are displayed on stainless steel pedestals and attached by artists via a connector plate provided by the City. New works are installed in June followed by a community celebration and one month of public voting for the Peoples' Prize. Selection will be reviewed by jury and recommended to the Olympia Arts Commission, then presented to Olympia City Council for approval. Selected artists are responsible for securing a Washington State Business License with a City of Olympia Endorsement at their own expense (typically $30). The City of Olympia strongly encourages people who are Black or Indigenous, people of color, transgender, non-binary, LGBTQ, immigrants, people with disabilities, and women to apply.