Call Description

Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) and King County Metro (Metro) have partnered again for this year's Photomural Art Call.

The theme is “Show Us Your World - Cultural Heritage.” While all submissions will be considered, artists who want to submit images that represent their interpretation of cultural heritage can present photos that express:

• Culture, values, and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations
• Contributions of women and gender-diverse people.
• Shared bonds within a community.
• One’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present, and future.

This is an international call, open to all ages, with photographs being submitted between January 12th, 2026 and February 12th, 2026. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT
The bus shelter public art call began in 2010 when King County Metro partnered with PCNW to expand the public art scene in Seattle and throughout King County. The project is a means to incorporate art into everyday life, to beautify Seattle and other cities served by Metro, and to make new perspectives and ideas available to all. The project seeks photographic artwork that will accomplish these objectives while increasing the visibility of the photographic arts. The majority of King County’s bus service and bus shelters are located in the City of Seattle and throughout King County. Over 1,000 photo murals have been installed since the launch of this public art project. 

PROJECT GUIDELINES

• Submit images that showcase your: 1) culture, values and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations; 2) contributions of women and gender-diverse people; 3) shared bonds within your community; 4) one’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present and future. Images of all subject matters will be considered.
• Avoid large blocks of color/negative space (to avoid graffiti on your image).
• Image themes and subjects should be appropriate for all age groups (PG-13).
• In general, themes and subjects should be appropriate for exhibiting as public art.
• Your name and the title of your image will appear next to the image, along with PCNW and King County Metro logos.
• You may tile, collage, crop, or stitch together images to create the final photo file.

ALL images will be considered. The final selection will be made by the King County Metro and PCNW jurors.

Installation of the winning photos in Metro bus shelters will begin in Spring 2026. 

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS

When submitting images to this contest through CaFE:

Images must conform to one of the following per image:

 5:4 frame ratio

1:2 frame ratio

Important Note: If an image(s) is selected, the artist will be notified via e-mail from staff at PCNW with further instructions. Final image files submitted to PCNW must adhere to these guidelines:

Images must conform to an approximate 5:4 or 1:2 frame ratio

Minimum size should be: 

8550px wide X 7050px high, or 

3750px wide X 7050px high

300 dpi resolution

75-175 mb size

Each file must be titled with the photographer's name, and the title of the image. (Example: John Smith Untitled.jpg)

You are encouraged to also submit an artist's statement, excerpts of which may be used alongside the publication of images. If images do not fit either submission or final file criteria, the images will not be considered.

 
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is $20 for 5 images. IMPORTANT: you must submit at least 5 images, even if they are the same file due to limitations of CaFE.

You may submit additional images for $5 each, up to 10 images total. Payment must be in U.S. Dollars. Entry fees are non-refundable.

We are committed to making this call for entry as accessible as possible; if you are unable to afford the entry fee for whatever reason, please contact pgonzales@pcnw.org for a discount code.
 
NOTIFICATION
Selected and non-selected artists will be notified in late February 2026 via e-mail. Once the project goes into production, images are installed into bus shelters over a year long period.
 
ACCEPTED WORK
PCNW reserves the right to refuse accepted work that is perceived to be inappropriate, vulgar, or discriminatory. All works selected for the project will be sent to press in 2026 and artist names/titles will be included on printed panels. Selected images may be used for promotion by PCNW, and may be used in King County Metro publications.

QUESTIONS
Contact Paulo Gonzales, pgonzales@pcnw.org

Application Requirements

We are committed to making this call for entry as accessible as possible; if you are unable to afford the entry fee for whatever reason, please contact pgonzales@pcnw.org for a discount code.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: this is an international call for work, open to all ages.