The Arts Council of Lake Oswego (ACLO) is pleased to invite artist submissions of up to three works of art per artist for outdoor public display in Lake Oswego’s nationally recognized, award-winning outdoor Gallery Without Walls exhibit. In its twenty first year, this program’s mission is to integrate art into the daily lives of local residents and visitors by presenting works from artists that resonate with people of diverse backgrounds. Public Art in Lake Oswego fosters a sense of place for the City, it enriches built and natural environments, encourages economic development, promotes sustainability, and provides opportunities for exploration, discovery, and delight.

Click here for the application / registration

Deadline: 23 Nov 2020

Artists can submit completed works and proposals for new works to be completed by installation in August of 2021. Artwork will be on display throughout the downtown business district for a two-year exhibition period starting in the summer of 2021 and ending in the summer of 2023. Submissions will be evaluated by a Selection Committee based upon the overall quality and merit of the submitted art works. The Arts Council seeks works of a variety of media including sculpture, new media, projections, and murals. They encourage proposals that engage, educate, and inspire the community. Submissions of artwork that has been created within the last three years is highly encouraged.

Gallery Without Walls Program Goals

• Display quality art work suitable for public display in a downtown, outdoor setting
• Support artists in showing their work to new audience
• Display art that contributes to the sense of pride in our community
• Strengthen and sustain our nationally recognized GWW program

Logistics

Artworks are generally displayed on concrete plinths of varying sizes and locations. There are options (while limited) for earth mounting works in a park or green space as well as utilizing building facades for proposed murals, projections, or similar. A limited number of plinth locations have electrical capability. Selected artists will be notified of their anchoring/display method in May. Anchor methods are either anchor bolts or weld only depending on the assigned site location. The engineer typically requires 1/2″ Titen HD bolts that screw through the sculpture base. Bolts are provided by the Arts Council. Base plate holes must be drilled to 3/4″ to accommodate bolts.

Concrete pads range in size from 2 x 2′ – 7 x 7′ (4 – 49 square ft.). Weld only pads require weld-able tabs on the sculpture/sculpture base. If welding, ACLO will provide a welder and contractor on-site for installation and de-installation. The Arts Council’s provided contractor will install all works of art and artists (or an artist representative) are required to attend installation.

Upon installation and during the two-year exhibition period, the City will maintain liability insurance to cover any damages, should they occur. It is the artist’s responsibility to deliver and be present (or send a representative) for installation and de-installation of the work. Artwork cannot be shipped as there are no available vehicles, storage space, or staff for this purpose.
The Arts Council reserves the right to reject work that, upon delivery, differs from the original proposal, or does not meet standards of durability, safety and quality. Artists in the current 2020-2022 GWW exhibition are ineligible to apply and encouraged to apply next year

Gallery Without Walls Artist Benefits

Up to fifteen artists will be chosen by the Selection Committee to display in Lake Oswego, OR. Selected artists will be:

• Awarded an honorarium of $1000
• Eligible for an annual People’s Choice purchase award of up to $20,000 (with a 30% gallery fee)
• Invited to attend the annual Gallery Without Walls Celebration in September. (This is a community celebration premiering the new sculptures and recognizing artists and all who support this wonderful program.)

Selected artists will enter into a two-year contract with the City of Lake Oswego for the exhibition loan period. During the exhibition period, works will be available for sale with a 30% gallery fee, if sold, paid to the Arts Council. Sold artworks must remain on display for the contracted exhibition period.

About the Arts Council of Lake Oswego

The Arts Council of Lake Oswego works to ensure the arts are an integral part of life in the community. With the purpose of placement and preservation of public art in Lake Oswego, ACLO provides access to art exhibitions for residents and visitors, and advance lifelong learning about the arts through educational programs and docent tours. The Arts Council of Lake Oswego administers the public art program partnering with the City and community to select, site, and maintain the nationally recognized Gallery Without Walls public art program, maintains the City’s permanent art collection of over 250 works, and provides accessible arts programming for the community.

For more information, contact sgjohnson@lakeoswego.city.