Oroville Art Commission approves NOFA for Hewitt Park mural and mural restorations; red‑tailed hawk sculpture deferred

The Oroville Art Commission on Thursday voted to release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for two public‑art projects — a mural for Hewitt Park and a mural‑restoration contract that will include restoration of the Black Bart mural and a square‑foot pricing option for future restorations — while deferring a proposed red‑tailed hawk sculpture until a site is selected.

The vote to release the NOFA, with the changes described by staff, passed unanimously. Commissioners also directed staff to contact the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) about placing a sculpture at the fish hatchery/dam area before pursuing that location; if DWR declines, an ad hoc committee of two commissioners will evaluate alternate city sites.

Why it matters: the NOFA opens publicly funded art opportunities and sets procurement parameters the commission said are needed to ensure competitive bids and compliance with grant requirements. The decision moves two projects with identified locations or procurement approaches forward while pausing the larger sculpture until site and jurisdictional questions are resolved.

What the commission approved and deferred - The commission approved releasing a NOFA that (1) solicits proposals for a mural on a retaining wall at Hewitt Park, and (2) solicits proposals for mural restorations, beginning with the Black Bart mural and establishing a square‑foot price approach for future restorations. Staff will amend the NOFA text to reflect the commission’s direction…