Project funded in part by Travel Oregon

Project Introduction

The City of Dundee, in partnership with Travel Oregon, invites artists, designers, and creative storytellers to submit proposals for the Dundee Wayfinding Project—a creative initiative that integrates art and storytelling into a citywide wayfinding system.

Selected artists from a range of visual media (i.e. - paint, wood burning, sealed collage, etc) will be commissioned to apply their creative talent craft to between one and three wine barrels - provided by the project sponsor. Each barrel will have a theme for the artists to work with. The expectation is that each barrel will tell part of the story of winemaking, agriculture and hospitality in the Willamette Valley, or will share the story of Dundee’s history, heritage and identity. 

Through a community involved nomination process, a team will select the people, families and/or stories to be featured in this project. The storytelling will be done with the combination of artistically enhanced wine barrels, signage, and video accessed with QR codes.  With the use of recycled wine-barrels, The Dundee Wayfinding experience will guide visitors through Dundee while celebrating the people, industry, and diverse community members who have built and shaped our town. This project will reflect Dundee’s unique identity, honor its founders, and highlight the vibrant industry that defines our region.

Project Vision

The Dundee Wayfinding Project will not only help visitors navigate but also share stories 

of:

• Founders and pioneers who established Dundee.

• The local wine and agriculture industries that have made Dundee a destination, including vineyards, farms, small businesses, and hospitality.

• Diverse community members whose contributions continue to shape Dundee’s culture and spirit.

Artists will be asked to bring these narratives to life through creative design elements applied to wine barrels that will be used as little landmarks to guide visitors to Dundee’s parks and trails.

Artist Eligibility

• Open to individual artists, artist teams, designers, and creatives across disciplines.

• Artists with experience in public art, graphic design, signage, storytelling, or community-based projects are especially encouraged to apply.

• Artists with experience engaging community members as part of their work will be given utmost consideration.

Artists Scope of Work

Selected artists will collaborate with project partners to:

• Design visual and narrative components for wayfinding signs and wine barrels that will act as wayfinding markers.

• Incorporate stories of local history, culture, and industry into their designs, (based on previously determined community nominations of people, themes, and places).

• Ensure designs reflect Dundee’s values of hospitality, inclusivity, and community pride.

• Time Period: Artists will pick up their barrel on, or before October 31, 2025 and complete work by February 13, 2026. If completed prior to the deadline, accommodations can be made to deliver the barrels sooner than the deadline.

Artist Stipends

Artist stipends, of $500 per barrel, will be issued in two payments; $300 upfront, and the remaining $200 upon completion.

Artist Selection Criteria

Artists proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee based on:

• Artistic vision and creativity.

• Ability to reflect Dundee’s history, industries, and diverse voices.

• Experience with public-facing projects.

• Feasibility and durability of proposed designs.

Submission Requirements

• Artist statement and CV/resume.

• Portfolio of most relevant past work (up to 10 images or links).

• Proposal (1–2 pages) outlining your concept, approach to storytelling, and how your work would connect visitors with Dundee’s people and places. Proposals can be in text, mockups, or a combination of both.

Timeline

• Call Released: September 5, 2025

• Deadline for Artist Submissions: October 6, 2025

• Artist Selection & Notification: October 27, 2025

• Commission completion: February 2, 2026

• Installation and Artist Celebration: August 2026 (actual date TBA) 

Other

• Artists will be provided with UV Sealant to be applied once the art application is completed.

How to Apply

Submit materials via email to bethany@traveldundee.com with subject line: Dundee Wayfinding Project – Artist Submission.

Questions may be directed to: Bethany Caruso - bethany@traveldundee.com

This project is about more than just signage. By participating, you would be helping share the stories, creativity, and heart of our community, while helping us guide visitors and residents alike through Dundee.