Title
Review of Recommended Designs for 10 Traffic Box Wraps
Recommended Action
Move to forward the recommendation to City Council of 10 designs for the Traffic Box Wrap Public Art Project as determined by public vote.
Report
Issue:
Whether to forward the public’s recommendation to City Council for approval.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Commission Staff Liaison
Background and Analysis:
Each year, community members are invited to submit their traffic box wrap designs to be considered for a public vote. At the end of the voting period the top ten images with the most likes are printed as vinyl canvases and installed on traffic boxes around the City. The project started in 2015 and there are currently 82 traffic box wraps on display throughout the City.
For the latest round of wraps, the application period opened April 1 and closed April 29. A total of 100 proposals (up from 90 in 2025) were received from area artists across a wide range of design and materials. Public voting took place through the City’s Engage Olympia webpage from June 1-30. A total of 1,428 (1,436 in 2025) responses were received, and the voting results and images of the top ten designs were shared at the July 9, 2026 Arts Commission meeting. A special meeting was held July 16 to review additional information to inform the Arts Commission’s recommendation.
Upon Council approval, staff will contract with the approved artists and the images will move into fabrication, to be printed on vinyl and installed on ten boxes throughout Olympia. The wraps are expected to last for several years.
The recommendation was pulled from the City Council July 28 agenda for additional review resulting in legal research conducted in consultation with copyright attorneys who focused on artworks, the use of current technology and copyright. During that process, certain top scoring submissions were reviewed for criteria for originality. The results of that review inform the recommendation for City Council being reviewed at the November 12 meeting.
Climate Analysis:
Traffic Box Wraps can contribute to the overall City strategy of encouraging alternative transportation.
Equity Analysis:
Voting on the Traffic Box Wraps is open to all. Folks without computer access can participate by visiting the Olympia Timberland Library.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
1428 responses, comparable to 1436 responses in 2025.
Options:
1. Recommend the publicly selected designs for Olympia traffic boxes to City Council for fabrication and installation.
2. Modify the recommendation.
3. Do not recommend designs.
Financial Impact:
$18,000 identified in the 2026 Municipal Art Fund for artist honoraria for use of their artwork ($500 each), and fabrication and installation of the vinyl wraps.
Attachments:
Images will be shared at the November 12 meeting.