Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting proposals for a park bench wildlife sculpture project sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. The artwork is to be located at, on, or in association with an existing park bench at one of three locations on Spring Street. The selected artwork will be available for sale while on display. Proposals will be accepted until Jan. 27.

The proposal application states that the artwork is to depict local wildlife and is intended to add beauty and interest to the downtown core, as well as provide an opportunity for local or area artists to display their work in a public venue. The sites have been selected by the FHAC based on their high visibility by vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Additional sites may be selected in the future.

According to the published FHAC guidelines, the art selection process will include forming a subcommittee of commissioners and community representatives, who will review the submissions and present selected proposals to the public for comment at an open forum.

“The FHAC continues to demonstrate our commitment to include the community in the public art selection process,” said Commissioner Diane Martindale. She explained that the commission wants all interested citizens to voice their opinions and share in the excitement of bringing more art into the town.

All proposals will be considered with preference going to those from local artists. The FHAC will review and select one or more proposals to recommend to the town council. The council will determine the final selection. Interested parties should review the Request for Proposal for the Park Bench Wildlife Sculpture Project at the town website at www.fridayharbor.org, under “What’s New.”

The FHAC was formed in 2015 to advise the town council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition and placement of public art. Eight residents, including one student, are appointed by the mayor to represent the interests of the town, the community and local artists.