Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting proposals for an Ed Warbass memorial bench sculpture sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. The artwork is to be located on a park bench near the First Street entrance to Sunshine Alley. Proposals will be accepted until July 14.

The artwork is to honor a local historical figure and town founding father. It should be life-sized and recognizable, but need not be a strictly literal interpretation.

According to the published FHAC guidelines, the art selection process will include forming a sub-committee of commissioners and community representatives who will review the submissions and present selected proposals to the public for comment at an open forum.

“The FHAC continues to demonstrate our commitment to include the community in the public art selection process,” said Commissioner Diane Martindale. She explained that the commission wants all interested citizens to voice their opinions and share in the excitement of bringing more art into the town.

All proposals will be considered with preference going to those from local artists. The FHAC will review and select one or more proposals to recommend to the town council. The council will determine the final selection. Interested parties should review the Request for Proposal for the Ed Warbass Memorial Bench Sculpture Project at www.fridayharbor.org under “What’s New.”

The FHAC was formed in 2015 to advise the town council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition, and placement of public art. Eight island residents, including one student, are appointed by the mayor to represent the interests of the town, the community and local artists.