PRESS RELEASE - Community Invited To Skate Park Mural Presentation And Open Calls For Art

Multiple opportunities for artists and community engagement with the City this month.

June 9, 2026 - PORT TOWNSEND – The Port Townsend Arts Commission and Creative District are pleased to announce several events and opportunities to celebrate and support local artists this month. In addition to providing input to the Seamus Sims Skate Park Mural Project, nominations are open for the 2026 Port Townsend Art Awards, as is a Call for Artists to design and fabricate sculptural trophies for the recipients. In addition, the City is seeking submissions for artists interested in leading an activity at the Uptown Street Fair in August. 

LEARN ABOUT & PROVIDE INPUT TO THE SEAMUS SIMS SKATE PARK MURAL PROJECT

In response to a Request for Proposals issued by the City earlier this year, seventeen local artists and artist teams submitted proposals to create new artwork on the walls of the Seamus Sims Skate Park. The project is funded, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commisssion. Proposals include both a concept for the art and outline a plan to engage the community in the creative process. On Tuesday, June 23, from 5:30-7:00pm at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street, up to three finalists will present their proposals to the public as part of the selection process. Comments from attendees will be reviewed by a panel of local stakeholders to help determine the artist chosen for the project.

The public is invited to kick off this exciting public art project and learn more at a free screening of the 2005 film Lords of Dogtown on Wednesday, June 17, at 8:00pm at Key City Public Theatre, 419 Washington Street. Presented by the Creative District, Port Townsend Film Festival, and Key City Public Theatre, this biographical drama follows the lives of the Z-Boys, a legendary group of teenage surfers from Venice Beach, California. Set in the 1970s, it portrays how this group transformed skateboarding from a hobby into a global sport. This is not a ticketed event and there is limited seating capacity.

PORT TOWNSEND ART AWARDS OPENS 2026 NOMINATIONS AND CALL FOR AWARD DESIGN AND FABRICATION

Last year, the Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) reimagined its annual art awards to include up to five recipients nominated by the community. The awards honor notable works of art, artistic achievements, and arts events to celebrate those who have contributed to the arts in Port Townsend and East Jefferson County. Individual artists, businesses, patrons, educators, notable art-related events, and artistic achievements from individuals and organizations are all eligible for nominations. Nominations for 2026 are open from June 30 through December 31.

PTAC has also announced a Call for Artists to design and fabricate six sculptural trophies for the recipients. These works will be presented to the 2026 award winners and add to a new collection of artist-designed awards, including ceramicist Victoria Power’s small marine-florainspired works from 2025. The commission for this project is $1,500,including materials. Proposals are due by July 31. 

CALL FOR 2026 UPTOWN STREET FAIR ART ACTIVITY FACILITATOR

The City will participate in Port Townsend Main Street’s Uptown Street Fair on Saturday, August 15, from 10:00am-2:00pm. As part of the City’s Creative District representation at the event, the City seeks an artist or artist team to lead a drop-in, all-ages arts or craft activity that is hands-on, fun, and allows multiple participants to take part at the same time. Materials will be supplied by the artist with the City providing tent, tables, and chairs. The Jefferson County Farmers Market, Port Townsend Public Library, and other partners will also be leading hands-on art activities in the same area. This project includes a $200 stipend to be paid after the event.Project applications are due by July 12.

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Learn more about the Seamus Sims Skate Park Mural Project:https://ptcreativedistrict.org/skatepark/
 

Learn more about Lords of Dogtown: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355702/ and https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/lords-of-dogtown
 

Learn more about the Art Awards and Call for Artists: https://cityofpt.us/bc-ac/page/arts-awards
 

Learn more about the Uptown Street Fair and submit an activation project: https://ptcreativedistrict.org/uptownfair