We have some incredibly massive news to share. This August, Oil City is playing host to a brand-new, high-energy public art celebration: Oil City Mural Fest 2026! We are officially opening up the application window and looking for talented visual artists to help us transform the heart of downtown.
The festival and live painting will be located right in Oil City Town Square, turning our central hub into an interactive, open-air creative workspace!
Thanks to the generous support of The Live Better Fund and Association EBN, we are bringing public art directly to the streets via stunning, freestanding Mural Monoliths. This is your chance to showcase your skills live, connect with a massive audience, and leave a lasting legacy on the local community.
Here are all the details on how you can apply to grab one of the open slots!
The Assignment: Live Painting Monolith Panels
We are seeking exactly 16 dynamic artists to bring the festival to life through live painting. If selected, you will be assigned a custom, primed wooden monolith panel to paint live during the event.
- The Canvas: A vertical wooden panel measuring 2 feet wide by 5 feet tall.
- Key Themes: Your design should focus on Local Nature, Recreation, Trails, and Biking.
- The Compensation: Accepted artists receive a flat-rate stipend of at least $200 USD paid via check upon successful completion at the event.
- Logistics: Mural Fest provides the primed panel. Artists are responsible for bringing their own paints, brushes, drop cloths, and tools.
- Guidelines: Designs must be your own original work and suitable for a public, all-ages festival environment. Explicit violence, nudity, hate speech, or overt political advertising will be disqualified immediately.
Crucial Dates for Artists:
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM
- Artist Notification: By August 8, 2026
- Live Painting Dates: Prep Day on Friday, August 21 and Festival Day on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Official festival hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., but artists can arrive early or stay later to finish.
How to Apply:
- Prepare Your Sketch: Create a sketch, digital rendering, or detailed concept drawing of your proposed design that fits the vertical 2’x5′ dimensions.
- Submit via Email: Send your completed application form and design attachment to info@rafiandklee.com with the subject line “Mural Fest 2026 Application – [Your Name]”.
- Submit In-Person: You can also drop off completed applications directly at The Fallen Shoppe (17 Central Ave, Oil City, PA 16301) during their regular business hours.
- Download Application below:
Help Us Out: Share the Sponsorship Form!
To make this festival a massive success, we need the backing of our incredible community. We need your help to spread the word! Please share this information and pass along the “Mural Fest Sponsorship 2026.pdf” form to local business owners, managers, or anyone who loves public art.
⚠️ Sponsorship Deadline: All completed sponsorship forms must be returned by July 18, 2026 to ensure timely ordering of the custom local nameplates and promotional printing inclusion.
If anyone has questions about applying as an artist or how their business can get involved as a sponsor, feel free to reach out to us at info@rafiandklee.com.
Let’s fill Town Square with color and creativity this August. Get those artist applications ready, share those sponsorship forms, and let’s show everyone what our creative community can build together!
Stay creative,
Rafi & Klee
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