Santa Maria Opened Public Art Project Submissions
The city is seeking artist designs to feature on a shaded bench at Jim May Park.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Painting
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The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department has opened a call for submissions for a new public art project at Jim May Park. Artists are invited to submit vinyl wrap designs centered on the theme of Living Waters.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to enhance public spaces through community-created art. By seeking local talent, the city hopes to foster artistic engagement while providing a unique visual feature for park visitors.
Eligible artists must be at least 18 years old and reside or work within Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Ventura county. The winning submission receives a $1,000 award for the project.
The players
Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department
This local agency is responsible for managing public facilities and coordinating community art programs in Santa Maria.
Public Art Committee
This committee serves as the governing body for evaluating and selecting designs for city-sponsored artistic installations.
The details
Applicants must create a digital design using an official template provided by the department. Designs must be submitted on a USB drive to 615 S. McClelland St. for anonymous review by the Public Art Committee.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Optional site walk at Jim May Park at 10 a.m.
November 13, 2026: Submission deadline at 5 p.m.
Culture Shift
This project follows the pattern set by municipal programs that leverage local artists to improve park aesthetics. It reflects a broader shift toward integrating site-specific creative works into public infrastructure to enhance community character.
Residents and frequent park visitors can look forward to a new, artist-designed feature at Jim May Park once the committee completes the selection process. Aspiring artists within the eligible counties should note the specific requirement to provide digital designs on a USB drive.
The takeaway
Artists interested in this opportunity should begin preparing their files according to the official city template. Ensure your submission is physically delivered to the department by the November deadline to be considered by the review committee.
What happens next
Interested artists may attend an optional site walk at Jim May Park on October 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. Final design submissions must be delivered by 5 p.m. on November 13, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local creative initiatives by visiting the Painting section.
More information
View the complete Call for Artists guidelines and templates to prepare your submission.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Noozhawk.
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