The theme “living waters” should inspire local artists interested in creating a new public art installation at a Santa Maria park. Digital submissions related to plants, wildlife, and the lake at Jim May Park are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 13.
“The selected artist or team will receive a $1,000 award, and the winning design will be professionally fabricated as an exterior vinyl wrap for a new shaded bench overlooking the park’s lake,” according to the city.
With the installation, the city aims to create a family-friendly design that celebrates curiosity and stewardship of the park’s natural landscape.
Individual artists and teams may submit. Applicants must be 18 years or older and live or work in Ventura, Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo counties.
Eligible submissions must be delivered by mail or in person on a USB drive to the Recreation and Parks Department, located at 615 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria. Public Art Committee members will decide the winner.
An optional site walk is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Find the park at 809 Stanford Drive in Santa Maria.
For the full rundown of the guidelines and more information, visit cityofsantamaria.org/recreation.
This article appears in October 22 – October 29, 2026.
