Oblivion Gallery Will Exhibit Parking Meter Art
The exhibition of recovered downtown art pieces opens in Eugene on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Oblivion Gallery will open an exhibition on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, featuring over 200 recovered art pieces that were originally installed on downtown Eugene parking meters. These works, created by more than 50 local artists, were saved before the city replaced the meters with a new design.
Why it matters
The project preserves community-made public art that would have otherwise been lost during municipal infrastructure upgrades. Proceeds from the sale of these pieces are intended to support Eugene's monthly Art Hop.
The exhibit features over 200 recovered art pieces with each work priced at $30. Sales proceeds will be split between the artists, The Oblivion Gallery, and the Art Hop.
The players
Jud Turner
Jud Turner is a local artist who co-initiated the Parking Meter Art Repair Project to recover and preserve public art.
Robert Bolman
Robert Bolman is a local organizer who co-initiated the Parking Meter Art Repair Project in response to municipal infrastructure changes.
The Oblivion Gallery
The Oblivion Gallery is a local venue located on Cross St. that is hosting the upcoming exhibition of recovered art.
The details
Artists originally installed these works in 2025 by screwing them into existing coin vault holes, ensuring the pieces remained flush against the meter to avoid obstructing pedestrian space. The Parking Meter Art Repair Project, led by Jud Turner and Robert Bolman, recovered the works specifically to prevent their loss during the city's hardware transition.
Timeline
More than 50 artists created the parking meter art pieces during 2025.
The parking meter art exhibition opens on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
The public exhibition remains open through the end of November 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibition aligns with the established community support model of the Eugene Art Hop. By repurposing decommissioned infrastructure, the project highlights a shift toward grassroots cultural preservation in urban settings.
Visitors can purchase individual art pieces at the gallery for $30 each to support local creators. The exhibition will be accessible to the public on Cross St. through the end of November.
The takeaway
This initiative demonstrates how communities can rescue public art from displacement through organized salvage efforts. Readers interested in local culture can support the Art Hop by attending the gallery opening and participating in the art sales.
Further reading
Learn more about the local creative scene in the Eugene Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KLCC | NPR for Oregonians.
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