Friday, October 2, 2026
The City of Olympia has opened the application window for its 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project, which transforms every box into vibrant public art.
Launched in 2015, the program turns traffic signal boxes located along sidewalks and street corners into colorful art pieces. It has also proven effective in reducing graffiti and cutting down maintenance time for city crews.
Currently, about 81 traffic box wraps are installed across Olympia.
The annual project invites artists from within 30 miles of Olympia City Hall to submit one original piece of artwork for consideration.
Submissions will undergo review by the Olympia Arts Commission and Olympia City Council before being presented to the public for a vote. The top 10 designs selected through the process will be installed on traffic boxes throughout the city.
Selected artists will receive a $500 honorarium, recognition on the city’s website, and the opportunity to have their work displayed publicly for two to three years, depending on wear and condition.
The application period will close at 11:45 p.m. on April 29.
The selection process includes an arts commission design review scheduled for May 14, followed by public voting in May and June. A final arts commission review will take place on July 9, with the city council expected to confirm the top 10 designs on July 28.
Installation is anticipated later in the summer or fall.
The city is welcoming submissions from artists of all backgrounds. Artwork must be appropriate for all ages and comply with legal requirements, including copyright and Washington’s anti-discrimination laws.
Artists can apply here.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
VDRAKE2
I've sent plenty of paintings to this since it first started and never not once have they chosen me and I look around town at these things and there are pictures but they're photographs are not artwork very few are artwork.
Friday, April 3 Report this
JustSaying
I love seeing Robin Chance's work on these boxes. She is truly gifted. I hope she submits some more!
Friday, April 3 Report this
HotTractor
I like the wrapped boxes. One thing that would be nice is they could adjust the placement so driver in a small vehicle doesn't have to see through the box to see on coming traffic. I don't have a problem in my pickup because i can see over them, but in small vehicle you have to creep out into the crosswalk to get a peak past the boxes.
Saturday, April 4 Report this