Downtown Olympia Murals Program
*Now accepting proposals for Summer 2024 murals*
Want to paint a mural in downtown Olympia? Now accepting proposals for two new funded murals!
If you are interested in designing and installing a mural downtown, we encourage you to read on and apply! This project will award two murals at $6500 each (for teams or individuals). Applications due September 3rd.
Our Downtown Mural Program connects artists with public funds to install their work in downtown Olympia.
Our 2024 project will select two artists (or artist teams). Applications open until September 5th!
About the mural program:
The ongoing goals of this program are to:
Create paid opportunities for established and emerging artists to share and develop their work
Provide mentorship and support during the development process
Create new community partnerships in downtown
Increase access to engaging and unique public art and showcase our local artistic talent
Encourage creative activity throughout our community
Applications for our 2024 mural cohort are now open! Learn more and apply here.
Our 2023 Mural Cohort added vibrancy and beauty to our downtown community.
The Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) and the City of Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) collaborated in 2023 to fund the concept, design, and installment of three murals by outstanding local artists in Downtown Olympia. Our 2023 mural cohort artists are Elisa del Giudice (You Are Not Alone, Plum Street YMCA), Cameron Dunn (Native Plants of Washington State, Community Print Building) and Fern Tallos (Thomas Architecture Studio).
This project also selected a fine artist team to identify and restore more than a dozen damaged murals in the downtown core. Our 2023 restoration team were incredible artists Austin Davis and Savannah Renauldi.
Slideshow prepared by Erika Naficy of Third Hand Artist Support for our Mural Celebration Artist Mingle in October 2023.
2023 Downtown Mural Cohort
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Elisa Del Giudice
Elisa Del Giudice—a master of op-art, hand-drawn lettering, and graphic design. She lends her skillful touch to workplaces, small businesses, residences, and more. Her creations aren't just designs but resonating stories that breathe life into brands and spaces.
“At the core of my work lies a human-centered approach, seamlessly translating ideas into impactful visual solutions. With this mindset, my approach is anything but ordinary, ensuring that every project becomes an inspired reflection of your unique vision,” she said.
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Fern Tallos
Fern Tallos is a visual artist and herbalist based in Olympia, Washington. Her paintings are heavily influenced by the plant kingdom and the natural world. She mostly creates public murals and acrylic paintings on canvas.
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Cameron Dunn
Cameron is a designer and community science advocate, most recently working as a coordinator with Native Plant Salvage Foundation. His current preferred medium is stained glass.