Roosevelt Reimagined: Roosevelt Fence Yarn Design

OPPORTUNITY

The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association is seeking artists to design a bold and colorful yarn installation along NE 65th Street on temporary fencing to beautify our neighborhood. The selected artist will create the design; community members will assemble and install the artwork. The selected artist will be compensated $500.

BACKGROUND

The Roosevelt Reimagined project aims to brighten our busiest streets by installing custom artwork on the fences around vacant lots. The project turns physical symbols of abandonment into catalysts for neighborhood pride and future revitalization. Nearby fences will feature a community-painted flower art installation.

ABOUT THE CALL

We invite artists to propose up to 2 sketched designs for yarn on fences to transform vacant lots into joyful, vibrant, and fresh temporary art installations. The selected artist will develop the design for two sections of fencing along NE 65th St: between 15th Ave NE and 16th Ave NE and between 14th Ave NE and 15th Ave NE.

Once selected, the artist will work with the project team to finalize designs and determine how the community can be involved in assembly or installation. The artist is only responsible for the design and is not expected to participate in fabrication or installation. The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association will source all yarn and materials.

We invite artists of all ages, backgrounds, and styles to apply. Preference will be given to artists with a connection, past or present, to Roosevelt or Ravenna neighborhoods. 

DESIGN GUIDELINES

• The Roosevelt Reimagined committee has selected acrylic yarn as the material for this project because of its affordability, vibrant colors, and fit with the constraints of working on temporary fencing. 
• Designs must be light weight and allow for wind to pass through. Designs with large solid blocks or densely packed knit sections of yarn are discouraged. Think woven patterns, geometric frameworks, or repeating motifs rather than wrapped or stuffed surfaces.
• Ideally, techniques are executable by volunteers with limited fiber arts experience.
• Design must be fully removable without damaging the fence. 
• As a condition for using the fences, designs must not include any political imagery, symbols, or messaging.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Call for artists deadline - Sunday, June 21st at 11:59 PM PT

Anticipated selection - late June 2026

Design finalization with selected artist - mid July 2026

Installation date - late July 2026