Florence Public Arts Committee launches call for Art Exposed ReVision Florence

The City of Florence Public Arts Committee announces the launch of the next call-for-artists for the Art Exposed Rotating Outdoor Art Gallery. Since 2018, this program has installed public art throughout Florence for community members and tourists alike to enjoy. Art Exposed ReVision Florence 2026–2028 will install six large-scale, colorful sculptures on Highway 101. Once selected, the art is scheduled to be installed in May 2026 and be on display through 2028.

For Art Exposed ReVision Florence, artists are encouraged to submit unique three-dimensional pieces that demonstrate extraordinary creativity. Selected artists will be paid a $1,500 stipend to display their art for a two-year period. During this time, the art is available for sale. If a piece sells, the City of Florence retains 30% of the proceeds to reinvest in the Public Arts Program: https://www.ci.florence.or.us/219/Public-Art-Program.

The six locations for Art Exposed ReVision Florence stretch between the Siuslaw River Bridge and the intersection with Highway 126. Another eight Art Exposed locations are part of the Art Exposed Old Town gallery.

How to apply: Details of the call and locations are in the entry form. Applications will only be accepted through CaFÉ (https://www.callforentry.org/), a well-known site for managing all types of art entries throughout the United States and internationally. Artists can register an account for free in order to apply to this and other calls by visiting CaFÉ online. By registering once, artists have access to calls from all over the world. There is a $25.00 fee to submit an application for Art Exposed ReVision Florence. All artists over 18 years old are eligible for entry.

To apply to the Call-for-Artists, or for more information about the Art Exposed program, visit https://www.ci.florence.or.us/382/Art-Exposed-Rotating-Outdoor-Art-Gallery. The deadline for submission is February 15, 2026, at 9:59 p.m. (PT).

Selection Process: After the call closes, the Public Arts Committee will review applications based on the criteria in the call. The Committee will provide their recommendations for the public to review and provide feedback. Final selections of art pieces will be made during Public Arts Committee meetings in February 2026. Community members are encouraged to attend the committee meetings and submit comments. More information is available at https://www.ci.florence.or.us/361/Public-Arts-Committee.

For additional questions, please contact Chantelle Meyer, City of Florence Economic Development and Communications Analyst, via email at chantelle.meyer@ci.florence.or.us.

Background: The City of Florence’s Art Exposed Rotating Outdoor Art Gallery Program is a dynamic bi-annual rotation of public art that improves the livability of the Florence area, creates a unique sense of place, and enhances community identity, while also providing an increased economic impact for visitors and residents. Art Exposed offers the community a chance to view interesting, fresh artwork every two years at a low cost, while providing artists with an opportunity to display and sell their work to a wide audience.

Art Exposed ReVision Florence is a 0.7-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Highway and part of the Florence Urban Renewal District’s ReVision Streetscaping Project, which was completed in 2020. In 2024, the City of Florence, Urban Renewal Agency, and the Florence Public Arts Committee added six art plinth locations for vibrant, large-scale public art to the highway district.

In early 2025, one sculpture was purchased by the Port of Siuslaw and can now be viewed at the Port Boardwalk. According to the program rules, the artist has the option to replace any art sold with another, similar piece, which would be on display for the remainder of the exhibit. In this case, artist Rick True placed “Speckled Redside Chromie” in February 2025 at the Highway 126 location.

The Florence Public Arts Committee works with City of Florence staff to operate Art Exposed. They write a call-to-artists that is shared with local, regional, and state artists; manage the artist application portal through CaFÉ; compile the applications with a subcommittee; review the selection as a committee; solicit public comment; and vote on finalists in a public meeting. City staff then notifies the artists and negotiates contracts.

Complete details and application information can be found at https://www.ci.florence.or.us/382/Art-Exposed-Rotating-Outdoor-Art-Gallery.