Call Description

CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CA:  MURAL PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITIES – FALL 2026

The City of Lake Forest, California, is excited to announce two upcoming mural projects and invites artists to submit an expression of interest for one or both opportunities.

This is the first time the City is soliciting artists for murals on City property. Following the City’s recent rebranding process and in alignment with the City’s 35th Anniversary and the 250th Anniversary of the USA, the City seeks to commemorate these occasions by highlighting the City’s brand identity and unique features.

Brand Narrative for Reference:

Tagline: Naturally Exceptional

Narrative:

Lake Forest’s growth has been deliberate and metered, and it is worthy of attention and recognition. This concept honors the past and clears a path for the future. It leans into Lake Forest’s natural beauty while taking a confident step forward to illustrate that the winds are at the back of Lake Forest. It has seamless connection points to the existing City seal but encourages boldness and innovation to set it apart from neighboring cities. Moreover, this concept is a call to regional residents and business owners to uncover all that Lake Forest has to offer. It illustrates that Lake Forest is the natural setting for greatness in Orange County.​

1. Lake Forest Sports Park – Recreation Building Mural (Site Plans A and C)

Location: Recreation Building, Lake Forest Sports Park (28000 Rancho Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630)
Visibility: Off-white interior wall seen when approaching the Recreation Center from the baseball fields (see Site Plans A and C)
Dimensions: Approximately 115 square feet for just the overhang area (see Site Plan A – Exhibit 1) with option for alternative of whole wall which is approximately 443 square feet (See Site Plan C – Exhibit 1, subject to additional budget availability and approval)

Project Description:
The City seeks an artist to create a mural featuring stylized City brand elements that reflects Lake Forest’s identity, enhances the park environment, and commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Artists are encouraged to creatively engage the wall and surrounding architecture.

Highly desired: Elements that pay homage to the history of the City (El Toro Marine Base, City’s ranching roots, agricultural history) and patriotic elements.

The Lake Forest Sports Park serves as a hub for year-round sports for all ages, hosts numerous community events, and has been highlighted as one of the top locations associated with the City of Lake Forest. Nestled with the backdrop of the Saddleback mountains, the park features several sport fields and a large, central recreation building that hosts various daily community activities and gatherings. Several motifs of leaves and nature are present in the park with metalwork present in the pathways throughout the park.

We are open to the creative use of this space in terms of coverage and medium.

Approximate Budget: up to $5,000 for Site Plan A (depending on size and scope and including artist fees, materials, surface preparation, and sealant); Site Plan C is an alternative that may be considered, budget would be determined based on concept and size.
Funding Source: General Fund (SEIP)
Installation: Fall 2026

2. Civic Center Parking Structure Mural

Location: Exterior rough stucco wall, part of parking structure elevator structure, Civic Center (100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630)
Visibility: Beige/Brown exterior wall adjacent to the parking structure elevator (see Site Plan B); Of note: Surfaces are stucco, which will be an important detail if planning on hand-painting the mural. This will require necessary surface preparation and paint selection.

There are visible, low severity surface cracks on the stucco that will continue to expand and contract. Expect that some cracking may eventually appear through the mural.
Dimensions: Approximately 251 square feet (see Site Plan B – Exhibits 1 and 2)

Project Description:
The City seeks an artist to design a mural featuring stylized City brand elements that complement the Civic Center environment, enhance the public experience, and to commemorate the City’s 35th Anniversary. Creative use of the wall and surrounding architecture is encouraged.

Highly desired: Motifs integrating nature and native vegetation as one cohesive concept on both walls. Integrate with backdrop of the Civic Center and craftsman-style architecture.

The Lake Forest Civic Center serves as the City’s “100-year home”, hosts numerous community events, offers ample rental space with stellar views of the Saddleback mountains, and features prominent craftsman architecture.

We are open to the creative use of this space in terms of coverage and medium.

Approximate Budget: up to $10,000 (depending on size and scope and including artist fees, materials, surface preparation, and sealant); If budget seems insufficient, please include proposal for approximate cost.
Funding Source: General Fund (SEIP)
Installation: Fall 2026

Application Requirements

Submission and Selection Process

Interested artists may submit for one or both projects. Submissions should include:

• A brief expression of interest
• Up to five (5) images of previous work, two (2) minimum

The City staff will review submissions and select artist(s) to advance to the selection phase. Selected artist(s) will be asked to submit 2–3 concepts for City Staff review.

While the City currently has budgeted only two project locations, the City may choose to maintain a database of artists for any future opportunities in the community. In order to qualify for the database of artists, please submit your brief expression of interest and a minimum of two (2) images of previous work.

If you are interested and available for these projects, please let us know by Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Approximate Timeline:

July 12:                                               Submission/ Application Deadline

July 22:                                               Artist Review/ Selection

July 22:                                               Request 2-3 Concepts from Artist(s)

Week of July 27 (TBD):                      Open House for Site Visit to see Sites/ Tour by Invitation (Visits to public areas of facilities available during regular hours of operation but without guided tour or staff available to answer questions)

August 11:                                          Approve a Concept Provided by Artist(s)

September 2:                                     Present Concept(s) to Community Services Commission

September 6:                                     Contact Artist and Coordinate Artist Agreement

Fall 2026:                                           Artist(s) to Begin Project(s) (Based on mutual agreement between Artist and City)

Fall 2026:                                          Project Completion (Based on mutual agreement between Artist and City)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy Smith at asmith@lakeforestca.gov.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be able and willing to travel to and complete the project in Lake Forest, CA in Fall of 2026.

Please use categories to indicate which Project Site Plan you are interested in being considered for. 

If you submit for a specific project, you will automatically be considered for the database.

If you are interested in being included in the database ONLY and do not wish to be considered for the specific projects listed in the Call, please indicate on your submission using the appropriate category (Database Consideration ONLY). 

Initial Submission due to the City by July 12, 2026, 11:59pm Pacific Time.