Arts alliance seeks artists for Reflection Plaza installation

The Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA) is bringing more public artwork to the heart of Washougal’s downtown.

WACA is soliciting proposals from qualified artists for an art installation on the Reflection Plaza tower, located at 1703 Main St., in downtown Washougal.

“The goal of the project is to add … a significant piece of public art that will create an inspiring focal point in the heart of Washougal,” WACA member Kathy Huntington said. “The artwork should reflect the history and culture of Washougal, and capture the spirit of the city in the present and its aspirations for the future.”

The Reflection Plaza tower “stands as a symbol” of Washougal’s original town well and pump, which were built in 1882, at the intersection of Main Street and Pendleton Way, according to WACA. In its request for proposals (RFP), the organization noted that the well “symbolized progress for a growing community and became a favorite social gathering place.”

The city of Washougal created a town square with a gazebo, water fountain and wooden platform “stage” at the intersection of Main Street and Pendleton Way in 1991, and named it “Reflection Plaza” in 2005, as part of a modernization effort.

WACA said in its RFP that the plaza’s tower “stands symbolically to mark the location of Washougal’s first town water pump, inviting a natural flow of community gathering” and notes that, today, “Reflection Plaza serves as Washougal’s central city venue for hosting community events.”

The selected artist or team of artists will be expected to design and produce the artwork on all four sides of the tower, according to the RFP.

Applicants must include a completed artist waiver form, a brief description and color illustration of their proposed art installation with approximate dimensions, estimated budget and timeline.

WACA will accept proposals through March 15, and will award the project by May 15. The organization said it expects the project will be completed by the end of this summer.

To submit a proposal, email [email protected] or mail it to Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance, P.O. Box 684, Washougal, WA 98671.