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Harbormaster asks Arts Commission for $1,500 to fund youth banner competition at Oak Harbor Marina
Summary
Harbormaster Elise Henry asked the Arts Commission for about $1,500 to produce banners from a youth design competition to brighten the marina in winter; commissioners agreed to review the proposal in January and consider assistance with advertising or finding an artist.
Elise Henry, Oak Harbor’s harbor master, asked the Arts Commission to consider funding a youth banner competition at the Oak Harbor Marina, requesting roughly $1,500 to produce and install top designs.
"I'm just asking for about $1,500 to get the banners," Henry said, describing an eight‑month process that would solicit designs from people under 18, select a top 10 and display the winning banners over winter. The competition would be revealed at the Harvest at the Harbor celebration and include a "people's choice" element to encourage community participation.
Why it matters: Henry said the marina currently has little public art and that banners could animate a gray winter environment, promote community engagement and connect downtown art corridors to the waterfront. She described plans to place banners along the main walkway and fuel dock and asked the commission to help with advertising and artist connections.
Commission response: Commissioners asked about selection and timing and suggested tying the banner program to existing events (Harvest at the Harbor, Chalk Fest) and school or Main Street partnerships. Staff said the commission will review the submitted proposal at the January meeting and determine whether to approve funding, assign a commissioner to work with the harbormaster or help the applicant find an artist or other resources.
Next steps: The commission placed the proposal on the January agenda for evaluation; a final funding decision was not made at the meeting.
