2025 Holiday Palette Competition
CLICK HERE for full program guidelines and blank palette template.

Honorarium
Selected artists who return their completed palettes will be awarded $700.

Description
The City of Laguna Beach Holiday Palette Competition is a project of the Arts Commission. Winning artists are provided with a 4 ft. x 3 ft. wood palette on which to paint original artwork. The completed palettes are temporary and displayed on lampposts throughout the city during the winter holiday season when and where the City desires for up to 7 years or based on its condition.

Eligibility
Entries will be accepted from artists who live, work, or exhibit in Laguna Beach and are 18 years of age or older (proof required). City employees, including those compensated for City Council, Board or Commission positions, are not eligible to apply. Submission Requirements Applicants must submit a color design within the border of a palette outline (see Guidelines PDF) to https://lagunabeachcity.slideroom.com/.
The design must have a horizontal orientation with the palette indent on the top-left side as integral to your design. Please note that if your design is selected you may be required to reverse the indent and your design. Each applicant may submit one (1) design. Designs must be hand drawn or painted. Digitally generated imagery will not be considered.
If your design is selected, you will be provided with a 4’ x 3’ wooden palette with a primed surface ready to paint. You will be required to paint your approved design on one side with oil, acrylic, or other material that can withstand outdoor exposure. Remember that palettes will be viewed from a distance. There are no restrictions on the subject matter; however, religious symbols are discouraged.

Dates and Deadlines
October 6, 2025 – Complete application with design must be submitted to: https://lagunabeachcity.slideroom.com/
October 13, 2025 – Arts Commission will review and select winning designs.
October 14, 2025 – Artists will be notified of selection.
October 20-21, 2025 – Selected artists to collect blank palettes from the Cultural Art Department.
November 17, 2025 – Completed palettes must be returned by 10 a.m.

Additional Information
Karen Wood, Public Arts Coordinator | kwood@lagunabeachcity.net | (949) 464-6681

Selection
The seven members of the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission will judge the designs based on creativity and appropriateness. The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission reserves the right, as its interests may appear, to reject any or all applications or proposals, to reject any finalist, to waive informalities in applications or proposals, or to terminate the selection process for any project without prior notice. Application to any project advertised by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission constitutes agreement with all applicable rules and guidelines. Acquisition, Display, Deaccession, and Removal from Collection The completed palette and design becomes the property of the City of Laguna Beach and will be displayed when and where the City desires for up to 7 years or based on its condition. It is the primary responsibility of the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission to preserve and protect the collections under its management for the people of the City of Laguna Beach. Deaccessioning is the process by which the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission recommends to the City Council that an object be removed from the City’s collection. The Arts Commission shall deaccession or dispose at will palettes in its collection only in the public interest and as a means of improving the quality of its collections.