Calling Artists! 2019 Allgire Project

Posted: May 15 2019

Who Calls: overall creative

Contact / Submission  Email: hello@overallcreative.com

Website: overallcreative.com/allgire

Location: oak harbor, washington state, usa

Timeline:

Applications due: CLOSED

Install: Summer 2019 (likely in two weekends determined by artist availability)

Artist Stipend: varies

How to submit:

This application is intended to be EASY and quick to respect your valuable time as a working artist! Please fill out this short form below and email hello@overallcreative.com with 3 of your favorite relevant work samples as attachments. Feel free to include links in your narrative but not in place of work samples! Thank you for your time!

Project Objectives:

To create a rotating outdoor gallery of murals across the several walls adjoining the 720 and 740 buildings of Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor - providing an engaging environment in a small town commercial district which incubates small businesses. To encourage people to repeat-visit Downtown Oak Harbor, coming to see what is new when they travel to Whidbey Island or come downtown for dinner or an event. For the space (the parking lot and extended off-street area) to host outdoor events such as concerts, beer gardens, outdoor theater (similar to the Fremont Outdoor Theater), and a Sunday afternoon farmers market.

Project Details:

The Allgire project seeks to cover 11 to 13 separate wall areas which range from 80 feet long to 12 feet long at a height of 1.5 stories to 2.5 stories, including a sloped retaining wall along the back area of the property. All of the walls reside on private property, including the parking lot.

Walls range in size (and allocated budget)  and will be assigned based on both artist’s and owner’s preferences.

Murals will be rotated out on a staggered basis, with none lasting more than a few years in place.

Theme Inspiration:

Colorful artwork that creates a feeling of energy and reflection. Topic areas which include (or are painted by those who represent) Whidbey/Oak Harbor’s natural environment, past and present cultures, history, and industries. The use of the area was inspired by Wynwood Walls in Miami, Florida.

Why “Allgire”:

The buildings are owned by Sarah Schacht who is a  third generation commercial property owner in family to own buildings in downtown Oak Harbor. Her family has contributed to the nonprofit, cultural, business, and community development efforts of the town for those three generations. Her grandparent’s last name was  “Allgire” and she plans on using the term “Allgire Project” for the project. Her grandfather served in the Navy and was an amateur artist who appreciated local art. Her grandmother founded a women’s clothing store (still in business 60 years later). Both served the community on countless volunteer boards and volunteer projects. Giving back to the community was important to them.  

About the location:

Located in Island County, Oak Harbor is Whidbey Island’s largest incorporated city with a population of 23,187 residents. It accommodates the island’s largest marina, a notable playhouse and plenty of indigenous Garry Oak trees (some over 3,000 years old).

Oak Harbor’s natural setting offers outdoor recreational opportunities to keep residents active year round. The city has incredible views of Puget Sound, the North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, and the Olympic Mountains. Access to Whidbey Island by land is available by driving through the scenic Deception Pass. Other ways to travel include flying or utilizing a State of Washington Ferry. Visitors come to the island for wide-open beaches, scenic vistas, outdoor adventures, great art, fine dining, and more.

Whidbey Island was shared by various Coast Salish tribes prior to colonization and nearby tribes maintain reservations. Oak Harbor is a military town with an Irish and Dutch heritage dating to the late 19th century. Two major events coincided with the city’s growth: the building of Deception Pass Bridge in 1935 and the completion of the Naval Air Station in 1942. Today, the median income in Oak Harbor is $46,621 and the median home value is $223,000. Downtown Oak Harbor is in need of vibrancy, attracting a younger generation of residents to the downtown core for shopping, dining out, and community activities.

The addition of the US Navy has brought diversity to Oak Harbor with many choosing to retire and raise families in Oak Harbor. The city has a significant population of Tagalog, Spanish, and Japanese native speakers.

For detailed lot information, see LINK TO GOOGLE SATELLITE VIEW of properties.

For demographic and economic background on Oak Harbor, see this Opportunity Zone Report: Opportunity 360 Measurement Report for Census Tract 9707.

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Application: CLOSED for 2019, will reopen in 2021