Art Exposed: Florence's Rotating, Outdoor Art Gallery

The City of Florence 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.

The City of Florence has eight Art Exposed locations in the Old Town area: Veterans Memorial Park, River Roasters, Rain Garden, Interpretive Center East, Gazebo Park Plaza, Gazebo Park Planter aka Secret Garden, Maple Street Park, and Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Lawn. 

Now, the program will expand up to Highway 101. Through a recent Call for Art, the Florence Urban Renewal Agency and City of Florence Public Arts Committee sought vibrant, large-scale public art to go on the Oregon Coast Highway as part of Art Exposed ReVision Florence 2024-2026. Artists were encouraged to submit unique sculptural pieces that demonstrated extraordinary creativity, which will then be reviewed by the Florence Public Arts Committee. Final selections of artwork will go in up to six locations on Highway 101 between the Siuslaw River Bridge and the intersection with Highway 126. 

Selected artists will be paid a $1,500 stipend to display their art for a two-year period, starting in April 2024. 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.

Timeline for the Art Exposed ReVision Florence Process

The Art Exposed ReVision Florence Call for Art closed on Dec. 29, 2023. Now, the Florence Public Arts Committee will review the applications in public meetings.

Early January - Art Exposed Subcommittee reviews submissions for eligibility

Monday, Jan. 29, 4 p.m. - Public Arts Committee begins selecting finalists for each location

Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. - Public Arts Committee finalizes artwork for each location 

The City of Florence plans to install Art Exposed ReVision Florence in April 2024. The selected artists will receive a stipend to display their work on Highway 101 as part of the rotating outdoor art gallery for two years. All work is for sale and managed by the Florence Public Arts Program. 

If you have any questions, please contact City of Florence Economic Development and Communications Analyst Chantelle Meyer by email HERE.