First Street Planter Art

In the fall of 2023, the City installed five temporary planters along First Street. A sixth will be added once the street tree at the corner of First Street and Avenue C has been removed. The planters will be in place until new street trees (identified by the upcoming First Street Master Plan) have been planted.

To beautify these installations, the City seeks to engage with local artists or artist teams to paint exterior artwork on the planters located on the northwest and southeast corners of the intersections of First Street and Avenue A, Avenue B, and Avenue C. The theme of this project is "bringing the Snohomish community together." 

The City has allocated a $750 stipend for each planter. Intended uses of the stipends include (but are not limited to) labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and incidentals necessary to complete the project. The cost of the planters, installation, primer, and sealant is covered by the City.

The application opens Thursday, February 1 and closes Thursday, February 29. The selection process and contracting will take place during early March, and the project is to be completed by Sunday, May 19.

Click here to review the full Call for Artists. If interested in participating, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Planter

FAQs


Where are the planters located?

The planters are located at:

  • The southeast corner of First Street & Avenue A 
  • The northwest corner of First Street & Avenue A 
  • The southeast corner of First Street & Avenue B 
  • The northwest corner of First Street & Avenue B 
  • The southeast corner of First Street & Avenue C 
  • The northwest corner of First Street & Avenue C 

How big are the planters and what are they made out of? Will they be primed and sealed?

The planters are square models from Tournesol’s Florence collection and are approximately 5 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall. They are ground fiberglass reinforced concrete (GFRC) and will be coated with a Loxon concrete & masonry primer before painting. Once the painting is complete, the planters will be sealed by the City with a UVA/UVB exterior sealant for protection. 

Can I submit a proposal using a medium other than paint?

The intent of this project is to paint the planters; alternative media such as wraps will not be considered at this time.

Is this a paid opportunity?

The City has allocated $750 stipends for each planter project, inclusive of (but not limited to) labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and incidentals necessary to complete the project. The cost of the planters, installation, primer, and sealant has been covered by the City.

Can I work in a team?

You are welcome to respond as a team. However, please note that:

  • You should only submit one interest form.
  • You must identify a lead who will serve as the primary point of contact, as well as the named recipient of the stipend. 

How will I be compensated for my participation?

The stipend recipient will be required to submit a payment request form that includes their Form W-9. Once the City has verified the completion of your work, you will be issued a check for the $750 stipend.

What is the timeline of this project?

  • Thursday, February 1 – Application opens 
  • Thursday, February 29 – Applications due 
  • Early March – Selection process and contracting
  • Sunday, May 19 – Projects completed 

When will I be painting?

Artists have the flexibility to schedule their painting for days and times that makes sense for their personal schedules and have favorable weather. The City will inform the artists of any events, City work, or other disruptions to the right-of-way that may impact their ability to paint on a given day.

What is theme and how should it be interpreted?

The theme of this project is “bringing the Snohomish community together.” Designs should evoke a sense of community, inclusivity, and camaraderie.  

Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from Snohomish scenery, landmarks, and history. You are welcome to think creatively about what makes Snohomish a special place and how you experience being a part of the community. 

Who is eligible to participate in this project?

This call for artists is open to those aged 18 years and older. All artists in the greater Snohomish area are welcome to submit, but preference may be given to artists who live or work within Snohomish city limits. Artists may be full-time professionals, part-time professionals, or hobbyists. Individual artists are welcome to form groups or teams to work collaboratively, but please note that only one stipend will be provided per project.

What do I need to submit to be considered?

To be considered for this project, please submit the interest form at the bottom of this page. You will be asked to submit your resume, images of past work, sketches of your proposal, and a brief statement of interest.

How will artists be selected?

Submissions will be evaluated by a three-person panel consisting of representatives from the City of Snohomish, Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, and art community. Panelists are prohibited from submitting proposals for this project. Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:  

  • Completeness of the application 
  • Quality of past artwork, as demonstrated in submitted examples 
  • Quality of proposed artwork, as demonstrated in submitted sketches 
  • Relevance to the theme  
  • Interest in collaboration or community participation 

If selected, will I need to sign a contract?

Yes, the City will provide a Professional Services Agreement to selected artists. The PSA must be signed before any work is performed.