Thursday, October 1, 2026
Olympia residents are invited to help shape the city’s public art collection by voting for their favorite sculpture in the 2026 Percival Plinth Project.
The voting window opened on Wednesday, July 1, for the annual exhibition that showcases works by local and regional artists at Percival Landing. The window is open through July 31.
This exhibition will feature 14 sculptures installed along Percival Landing, where they will remain on display for the next year. Visitors are encouraged to view the artwork in person before casting ballots.
Participants may rank up to five sculptures in order of preference to help determine which artwork the City of Olympia will purchase for its public art collection.
The winning sculpture will remain on display at Percival Landing during the yearlong exhibition before being relocated to another public site in Olympia as part of the city’s permanent collection. The artist whose sculpture is selected will receive an award of up to $10,000.
The annual Percival Plinth Project rotates a new collection of loaned sculptures onto the waterfront each summer, providing artists with an opportunity to showcase their work while giving residents a direct role in selecting new public art. Sculptures that are not selected for the city’s collection may be purchased by private buyers after the exhibition concludes by contacting the artists directly.
A kickoff event is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday, July 11, at the large pavilion at Percival Landing.
City staff will be available to answer questions about the program and visitors can enjoy complimentary treats while viewing the exhibition.
The 2026 exhibition features sculptures by Ben Dye, Jill Drllevich, Hank Nelson, Shawn Johnson, KayC, Kannan Krishnan, Steven Nagode, Kyle Ocean, Travis Pond, Chris Rench, Christine Rose, Karen Sixkiller, Ken Turner and Lloyd Whannell.
Information about the sculptures, artist statements, and the online ballot is available through the city’s Percival Plinth Project web page.
Launched in 2011, the Percival Plinth Project has grown significantly in its community engagement, with recent exhibitions drawing more than 500 votes during the public voting period.
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CobraCommander
SouthSoundGuy will say it was rigged
Wednesday, July 1 Report this
Arete
I'm happy to live in a community that uplifts artists.
Thursday, July 2 Report this
Snevets
I look forward to voting!
Thursday, July 2 Report this
Southsoundguy
No, I will say that most of the so-called "art" is trash.
Thursday, July 2 Report this
Southsoundguy
I will re-state my premise: liberalism is self-terminating.
Friday, July 3 Report this
CobraCommander
Southsoundguy - are you sure? Looks like conservatism is collapsing at the speed of light right now
Tuesday, July 7 Report this