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:
This item was approved by the Arts Commission on July 9, 2026. In that presentation, Ms. Johnson shared that one of the top 10 images was not submitted at the requested 300dpi, and recommended pulling that image and bringing #11 into the top 10. The Arts Commission approved the recommendation.
Ms. Johnson made that determination upon receiving the image within the timeframe offered to four artists in the top 10 whose high resolution images did not meet the requirements. By the time of the deadline, the other 3 updated images had been received. Because the fourth image was submitted in pdf form, she was unable to determine the specifications and sent the image to the fabricator for verification they could print from the image. The fabricator did not respond and Ms. Johnson, working from the best information she had, determined the image to be 96dpi, too small for large scale printing. The fabricator responded to the question the morning after the Arts Commission meeting. They determined the image was good to print, by dropping it into the format and looking for pixelation. Ms. Johnson asked them to verify the dpi, which they had to research as the information is not intuitive. They responded that the background of the image is 96dpi, while elements in the foreground - the focus of the image - meet or exceed 300dpi.
Ms. Johnson shared this information with Chair Dorgan, who agreed Commissioners should review their recommendation with the new information provided.
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:
None. Images were shared at the July 9 presentation.