Artist Request for Proposals: A Public Art Mural Project at William L. Finley NWR
Location: William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
Opportunity Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
About the Call:
The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is launching a mural project to celebrate the beauty and history of the Willamette Valley. The mural will be installed at the Turtle Flats restroom location, a highly visible site along Finley Refuge Road where thousands of visitors pass by each year. Timing for this project is flexible.
William L. Finley NWR invites experienced mural artists to submit proposals for the design and creation of a large-scale work of art that reflects the natural and cultural heritage of the Willamette Valley and supports the mission of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (WVNWRC).
The mural should:
- Celebrate the accessibility and inclusiveness of the Refuge and its connection to surrounding communities.
- Honor the restoration of native habitats in the Willamette Valley.
- Highlight the value of accessible birding and the joy of exploring natures.
- Depict the native ecosystems protected at the Refuge – such as oak savanna, oak woodland, and riparian habitats – and the ongoing efforts of the WVNWRC and its partners to preserve these landscapes and their wildlife.
The goals of the mural include:
- Raising awareness of accessibility and inclusivity in birding at the Refuge as well as highlighting the inspiring work of Birdability – a nonprofit dedicated to making the birding community and the outdoors welcoming, inclusive, safe, and accessible for everyone.
- Bridging connections between local communities and the Refuge’s native wildlife and habitats.
- Serving as a symbol of welcome – “Everyone is Welcome / Todos son Bienvenidos”- to visitors who enter the Refuge from Highway 99W or Bellfountain Road.
- Joining the Corvallis Mural Project, contributing to a growing network of mural art, community engagement, and creative expression across the region.
The mural should inspire optimism, empathy, and progress, offering a forward-looking vision of connection between people and nature.
Submit questions and proposals to ricardo_rodriguez@fws.gov.