Artists sought for Westlake and Occidental Park art installations

There’s a lot going on in Westlake and Occidental Square parks, two of the most prominent parks downtown, like ping pong, fitness classes, food trucks, and concerts. The parks have also been host to several art installations lately, including a light show in the Westlake Park fountain.

Downtown Seattle Association (DSA)’s Urban Parks Art Grant seeks to fund some of the art installations seen in the park—and its second semiannual call for submissions is open. Between two and six artists will be chosen to create installations in either or both of the two parks.

Interested applicants can submit a one-page letter of interest with an artist statement, a resume or CV, an at-least-partial design concept, and examples of previous work. Grants can be $1,500, $3,000, or $5,000, which can pay for artist fees, materials, and promotion. Full application requirements are available here. Materials are due by October 31.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of art and design professionals, DSA, and City of Seattle staff and chosen based on quality of concept, community impact, and feasibility. Selected artists will be notified November 30, and art displays will begin this January through April.

Recently, the grant funded a series of detailed chalk portraits of community members by Denver-based painter and chalk artist Naomi Haverland on the bricks in Occidental Park. Portraits would take most of the day to create.

In case you miss this deadline: The next round of funding opens up April 1.

• Public Spaces [DSA]