Public Art Call: Show Us Your World, a partnership with King County Metro and Photographic Center Northwest
Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) and King County Metro (Metro) have partnered again for this year’s Photomural Art Call.
The theme is “Show Us Your World – Cultural Heritage.” While all submissions will be considered, artists who want to submit images that represent their interpretation of cultural heritage can present photos that express:
- Culture, values and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations,
- Contributions of women and gender-diverse people,
- Shared bonds within a community,
- One’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present and future.
This is an international call, open to all ages with photographs being submitted between January 12th, 2026 and February 12th, 2026.
Entry Deadline: February 12th, 2026
Entry Fee: $20.00
Media Fee(Additional Images (up to 10 total)): $5.00
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum: 5, Maximum: 10
Total Samples | Minimum: 5, Maximum: 10
Call Type: Photography
Eligibility: This is an international call for work, open to all ages.
State: Washington
Photos selected will be printed in one of the following 2 sizes:
Up to 60 photographs will be selected for printing at a size of 28.5” wide x 23.5” high, a ratio of about 5:4, for the end panels in shelters like the photo above.
Up to 60 photographs will be selected for printing at a size of 12.5” wide x 23.5” high, a ratio of about 1:2, for the end panels in shelters like the photo above.
The selected photographs will be printed on a high quality exterior grade signage material and will remain installed in King County Metro shelters for up to 10 years. Photographs that are not in the final print size, will be carefully cropped to fit the required print size.
Take a slice out of your image or stitch together several images to make a panorama or collage—this is a great opportunity to make new work or reimagine existing work! Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of jurors from King County Metro and PCNW. Selected photographs are prominently displayed throughout Seattle and greater King County.
The Bus Shelter Photo Mural Project began in 2010 when King County Metro partnered with PCNW to expand the public art scene in Seattle and other cities in King County. As a way to incorporate art into everyday life, to beautify Seattle and other cities served by Metro, and to make new perspectives and ideas available to all, the project seeks photographic artwork that will accomplish these objectives while increasing the visibility of the photographic arts. The majority of King County’s bus service and bus shelters are located in the City of Seattle and other cities throughout King County. Over 2,000 photo murals have been installed since the launch of this public art project in 2010.
- Submit images that showcase your: 1) culture, values and traditions that have been passed down from previous generations; 2) contributions of women and gender-diverse people; 3) shared bonds within your community; 4) one’s history, identity, and bond to the past, present and future. Images of all subject matters will be considered.
- Avoid large blocks of color/negative space (to avoid graffiti on your image).
- Image themes and subjects should be appropriate for all age groups (PG-13).
- In general, themes and subjects should be appropriate for exhibiting as public art.
- Your name and the title of your image will appear next to the image along with PCNW and King County Metro logos.
- You may tile, collage, crop or stitch together images to create the final photo file.
- Click here for inspiration to see examples of past murals.
- ALL images will be considered. The final selection will be made by the King County Metro and PCNW jurors.
- Installation of the winning photos in Metro bus shelters will begin in Spring 2026.
When submitting images to this contest through CaFE:
- Images must conform to one of the following per image:
- 5:4 frame ratio
- 1:2 frame ratio
Important Note: If an image(s) is selected, the artist will be notified via e-mail from staff at PCNW with further instructions. Final image files submitted to PCNW must adhere to these guidelines:
- Images must conform to an approximate 5:4 or 1:2 frame ratio
- Minimum size should be:
- 8550px wide X 7050px high, or
- 3750px wide X 7050px high
- 300 dpi resolution
- 75-175 mb size
- Each file must be titled with the photographer’s name, and the title of the image. (Example: John Smith Untitled.jpg)
You are encouraged to also submit an artist’s statement, excerpts of which may be used alongside the publication of images. If images do not fit either submission or final file criteria, the images will not be considered.
The entry fee is $20 for 5 images. IMPORTANT: you must submit at least 5 images, even if they are the same file due to limitations of CaFE.
You may submit additional images for $5 each up to 10 images total. Payment must be in U.S. Dollars. Entry fees are non-refundable.
PCNW Members receive a special discount for their submissions on CaFE. Please email Paulo Gonzales at pgonzales@pcnw.org to receive your member discount code.
We are committed to making this call for entry as accessible as possible; if you are unable to afford the entry fee for whatever reason, please contact pgonzales@pcnw.org for a discount code.
Selected and non-selected artists will be notified in March 2026 via e-mail. Once the project goes into production, images are installed into bus shelters over a year long period.
Accepted Work
PCNW reserves the right to refuse accepted work that is perceived to be inappropriate, vulgar, or discriminatory. All works selected for the project will be sent to press in 2026 and artist names/titles will be included on printed panels. Selected images may be used for promotion by PCNW, and may be used in King County Metro publications.
Questions?
Contact pgonzales@pcnw.org