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Temporary Public Arts Program

The City’s Temporary Public Arts Program celebrates the City’s artistic traditions and features rotating art exhibits in public spaces. The City currently has four temporary art locations and new pieces of art are selected annually to showcase for the community to enjoy. This is a unique opportunity to display art in a high-traffic urban and coastal environment that attracts Solana Beach residents as well as tourists from around the world. The Temporary Public Arts Program aims to highlight works of art that will be seen by both residents and visitors alike on pedestrian pathways and traffic boulevards. The public displays have featured an eclectic and sometimes whimsical display of sculptures in a variety of mediums. Prior phases of this exhibition have engaged and inspired residents and visitors with the artwork of world-class artists.

 

2023 Temporary Public Arts Rotation

The City of Solana Beach is proud to announce the 2023 Temporary Public Arts Program installations:


Calliope by David Beck-Brown

​​​​​Location 1: San Andres Drive & Las Banderas Drive

 


Peace Arrow by Alexander Gall

Location 3: Lomas Santa Fe median


Sunflower by Yuriy Akopov

​​​​​Location 2: Solana Beach Town Centre 


Attack on Meaning by Bill Vielehr

Location 4: Seascape Sur public beach access

A map of the four (4) locations can be viewed below. A google map of the temporary art locations may be viewed by clicking here.

 

 

2024 Call for Artists

The City and its Public Arts Commission continue to accept application for the City's ongoing Temporary Public Arts Program. The Temporary Public Arts Program is a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their works of art in a high-traffic urban and ocean-view environment attracting Solana Beach residents as well as tourists from around the world. Artists are invited to submit sculptures of various sizes for consideration for a one-year exhibition. 

The program aims to select four (4) pieces to be displayed at highly visible, designated temporary public art sites spread across the beautiful coastal community. If selected, the artist will receive a $1,500 stipend for each sculpture. 

All proposals must be received by the city no later than Monday, October 16, 2023 at 5:30 PM. Please submit the following as part of your proposal:

  • Completed Application
  • Image of Proposed Artwork – see Q&A below for requirements.
  • Artists may only submit one proposed piece of artwork per application

Click the button below to submit your proposal. Read on for questions and answers about the program requirements.

For more information on the program and requirements, please contact Kayla Moshki at (858) 720-2438 or kmoshki@cosb.org.  

Click Here to Apply!
 

What kinds of sculptures will be considered?

The City seeks a unique exhibit of Public Art emphasizing a variety of styles, types, sizes, and a diverse pool of artists. The Selection Committee will consider only artwork made of high-quality materials, which can withstand the natural elements (humidity, corrosion, etc.) of coastal Southern California for a minimum of one year. In addition, consideration will be given to structural and surface integrity, protection against theft and vandalism, and requiring minimal to no maintenance.

What does a complete application include?
  1. Completed Artist Information.
  2. An image that shows the proposed art piece.
  3. Artists may submit multiple sculptures for consideration. Each sculpture must be submitted be completed as a separate application.
  4. Brief artist statement describing the design intent.
  5. If proposing a specific location, explain how the artwork relates to the context of the proposed location (proposing a specific location is optional and at the discretion of the artist). The City cannot confirm a specific location will be provided.
  6. Artist biography and/or resume, maximum 2 pages total (optional).
Where are the art sites located?

A map of the four (4) locations can be viewed below. A google map of the temporary art locations may be viewed by clicking here.

1. San Andres Drive

  • This temporary art site is located at the south side of the 3-way stop sign at San Andres Drive and Las Banderas Drive. This temporary art site is highly visible for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • This location is sits at busy intersection of residential neighborhoods and the Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, a popular Solana Beach shopping center. The slab is located slightly within the hillside and is visible from long distances on Las Banderas Drive. The location does allow for a larger - taller - kinetic installation and has full sun exposure. This location will be surrounded by drought tolerate landscaping.

2. San Rodolfo Drive

  • This temporary art site is located within the Solana Beach Town Center on San Rodolfo Drive at the southwest corner of the 4-way stop sign. This temporary art site is highly visible for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • This site is unique for the pedestrian friendly walkway that encircles the concrete base enabling a full 360-degree view of the artwork. This site has an ideal southern exposure and has no sunlight obstruction.

3. Lomas Santa Fe Median

  • This temporary art site is in the median center divide on Lomas Santa Fe Drive in front of Skyline Elementary School.
  • This site is unique for its prominent location right in the center of a high traffic street near a school entrance. This site does not allow pedestrian access and will be only viewed from cars and at a distance.

4. Seascape Sur Beach Access

  • This temporary art site is within the Seascape Sur Beach public access way, located at 501 S. Sierra Avenue, which can be found between the Seascape Sur Condos and the Solana Beach Tennis Club on South Sierra Avenue.
  • This location is set along a fully developed concrete public beach access with complimentary landscaping and lighting. The location is approximately halfway to the beach stairway access. The location allows direct access to the artwork and is in the same area where a future park bench is planned to be placed. The area is partially shaded by the adjacent residential development and retaining wall, but also provides the opportunity to be both a welcoming object and a photo opportunity as beachgoers make their way to and from the ocean.
Can the artists select a preferred location?

Artists may, but are not required to, specify a preferred location. If identifying a specific location, artists must describe how a proposed artwork responds to the context of the specific location. The City will consider locations proposed by artists but retains the right to locate any artwork at any potential locations.

If proposing a design for a specific location, please note the location number designated on the temporary public art map.

What is the installation process?

The Program will place four (4) pieces of art throughout the City in designated locations. Each piece chosen will be assigned to a specific location. Once selected, the artists install their art on designated 4’ x 4’ concrete pads. 

Selected applicants will be responsible for bringing any specialty equipment necessary to safely secure the piece to the concrete pad. All selected artwork must be prepared, in advanced, to be properly and safely secured to the concert pad. 

The City of Solana Beach will be available to assist and guide the Artist in installation and removal.  The City of Solana Beach can coordinate additional installation and de-installation services from by the Department of Public Works.

Selected applicants will be responsible for transporting their artworks to and from the site according to the contract schedule. The City of Solana Beach will be available to assist and guide the Artist in installation and removal.  The City of Solana Beach can coordinate additional installation and de-installation services from by the Department of Public Works.

Selected pieces must remain for the entire duration of the exhibition and be sturdy enough to withstand the site's significant climactic environments - cold, heat and humidity, salt air, wind, etc. 

Will a stipend be provided?

Yes. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,500 in exchange for a one-year loan of their artwork. This It shall be used to cover transportation of the artwork to and from the temporary art site and fees for on-site installation and removal.

What is the selection process?

Projects will be evaluated and selected by the Solana Beach Public Arts Commission and City Staff. The selection committee will determine specific locations for artworks within the approved sites. Completed works will be considered first, proposals or works in-progress are subject to possible consideration for the next round.

Review criteria include:

  • Artistic Merit: Artists shall have established or growing professional qualifications, high quality artwork that demonstrates originality and artistic excellence + uniqueness. Private collectors, galleries, and museum/non-profit organizations have professional reputations for entering submissions.
  • Durability: The Selection Committee will consider only artwork made of high-quality materials, which can withstand the natural elements (humidity, corrosion, etc.) of coastal Southern California for a minimum of two years.  Consideration will be given to structural and surface integrity, protection against theft and vandalism, and requiring minimal to no maintenance.
  • Meets Minimum Requirements: Artworks must be available for the duration of the exhibition period and prepared for installation, in most cases, on a concrete foundation or footings. Artworks, when installed, will be readily visible from their locations. Artworks shall be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
  • Site Responsiveness: Artwork should be appropriate in scale, material, and content for the immediate, general, social, and physical environments to which they relate. Artworks will be installed in unsupervised areas and must not exhibit unsafe conditions or factors that may bear on public liability, as members of the public may come into contact with the piece
What is the schedule?
  • Application Deadline: October 16, 2023 at 5:30 PM PST
  • Juried Selection: October 24, 2023
  • Artist(s) Notification by City: November 3, 2023
  • Installation Timeframe: January 2023 
  • Removal Timeframe: December 2023
What are the terms of the Temporary Public Arts Program?
  1. All entries must be the original design and artwork of the applicant. Entries that use a copyrighted or trademarked image will not be accepted. Entries must not be plagiarized, stolen, or copied. Artists may submit art that is owned by the artist; the art concept does not have to be original solely for this call for art. 
  2. Images of artwork other than the submitted piece will be removed from consideration. Artwork must match and arrive in the same condition as the images provided in the application, or they can be subject to rejection.
  3. Artwork created under this program is considered temporary artwork and the property of the City of Solana Beach. The City retains the right to remove, modify, or replace artwork at its discretion.
  4. The artist’s name, artwork title, and photo of artwork may be featured on the City of Solana Beach website and other promotional materials.
  5. The City of Solana Beach retains sole authority to determine which, if any, art box designs will be installed and the locations of where each artwork will be installed.
  6. Submissions will be reviewed and selected by the Solana Beach Public Arts Commission and City Staff.