Public Art Program

One of the City of Fairfax’s main goals is to create a distinctive sense of place—both physically and culturally. To achieve this, the city is combining its unique public spaces with rich cultural and educational experiences. A strong public art program is one way the city is working toward that goal.

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Experience Public Art Calls for Artists For Businesses Get Involved

Experience Public Art

Mini art vending machine

🎨 Find our Mini-Art Machines!

$1 = one collectible art print • All proceeds benefit Fairfax City parks

The Mini Art Vending Machine is a fun, affordable way to collect pocket-sized works of art by local artists. Just four quarters gets you a miniature art print — a one-of-a-kind way to experience and support the local arts community. 

Permanent

Sherwood Center

3740 Old Lee Hwy

"Love All Around" by Caroline Trimmer

Permanent

Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center

10209 Main St

"Oodles of Doodles" by Kay Kaelin

Each artist creates nine unique designs — collect them all! New artists rotate every 30–60 days.

Take a Virtual Public Art Tour

Explore Fairfax City’s vibrant public art through a virtual tour. From colorful murals and striking statues to immersive digital experiences, this interactive journey lets you discover how creativity brings the city’s streets to life.

Start the Tour

 

Calls for Artists

The City of Fairfax invites artists, graphic designers, and illustrators to participate in our public art initiatives. Please note that that AI- generated digital art is not permitted or accepted.

Local artists receive weighted preference. Questions? Email Cultural Arts Manager, Will Quinn for more information.

NEW!: Thaiss Park Mural

View Guidelines for the Thaiss Park Mural(PDF, 1MB)

A large-scale mural to be installed at the newly renovated Thaiss Park, located at 3401 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031.

  • Deadline: 4 p.m. ET, Sept. 7, 2026
  • Award: $12,000
  • Requirements: Finished mural size will be 8’ 8” tall by 12’ 3¼” wide. The selected artwork should encourage viewer engagement or interaction — whether through energetic imagery, vibrant color, or design elements that spark curiosity and inspire movement from visitors of all ages.

Selection criteria: Artistic merit and graphic strength, relevance to project goal, contribution to the city's aesthetic and cultural atmosphere, appropriateness for public spaces, and completeness of submission as outlined in the guidelines. 

 

NEW!: Art Benches in the City of Fairfax

View Guidelines for Art Benches in the City of Fairfax(PDF, 2MB)

Mural designs to be painted on three Noblewins benches, made from retired wind turbine blades, which will be installed at locations across the City of Fairfax: Ashby Pond, Pat Rodio Park, and Ratcliffe Park,

  • Deadline: 4 p.m. ET, Sept. 7, 2026
  • Award: $6,000 per bench (benches will be awarded individually)
  • Requirements: Specifications vary by bench. Please see the guidelines for more information.

Selection criteria: Artistic merit and graphic strength, relevance to project goal, contribution to the city's aesthetic and cultural atmosphere, appropriateness for public spaces, and completeness of submission as outlined in the guidelines. 

 

Mini-Art Vending Machine - "What America Means to Me" - June 24 deadline!

 View Guidelines for "What America Means to Me"(PDF, 317KB)

View Guidelines for Rolling Submissions(PDF, 354KB)

Create small-format designs for our innovative mini-art vending machines. This project promotes affordable art for everyone!

  • Deadline: Rolling Call to Art (themed calls have specific deadlines)
  • Requirements: 2D, 9 original works, each 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, high-resolution digital files (300 DPI)
  • Stipend: $150 for 9 prints
  • Duration: New artist featured every 30–60 days

 

Signal Box Wraps

View Signal Box Guidelines(PDF, 892KB)

Transform traffic signal cabinets into public artworks. Artist designs will be printed on vinyl and wrapped around city-maintained signal boxes throughout Fairfax.

  • Deadline: Rolling submissions accepted
  • Honorarium: $500 for selected artists
  • Requirements: Up to three original designs, high-resolution digital files in specific formats
  • Duration: Wraps displayed for two to three years

Selection criteria: Artistic merit and graphic strength, contribution to the city's aesthetic and cultural atmosphere, appropriateness for public spaces, and ability to translate effectively on traffic box wraps.

  

Chromatic Currents: Exhibition and Reception

19 Jun 2026 in celebration of Asian America, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific islander Heritage Month, Chromatic Currents transforms the gallery space into an exploration of the visual energy and conceptual depth expressed by Asian artists. This carefully curated collection showcases a dynamic dialogue between vivid primary colors and refracted, high-contrast palettes.

Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Boulevard,  22030

Tagged as: , Arts & Culture

 

For Businesses

Mural panels from Fairfax Contemporary Pictures (2022) by Joseph Crain English, depicting stylized Fairfax scenes on a building exterior.
Fairfax Contemporary Pictures (2022) by Joseph Crain English.

The City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts and Public Art Committee work closely with the Board of Architectural Review to identify great locations for public art in developments in the city.

If you are a business owner in the city and interested in adding public art to your property, email Cultural Arts Manager, Will Quinn for more information.

 

Get Involved

Public Art Committee

The Public Art Committee of the City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts meets periodically to discuss new public art locations and opportunities to bring public art to the city.

View Boards & Commissions directory

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