Paint the City

Saratoga artists age 10 and older were invited to submit their application to turn plain utility boxes into works of art! The City received 55 stunning applications from Saratoga artists. The Public Art Committee reviewed the submissions and narrowed the choices to 3 options at each of the 5 utility box locations. 

Saratoga residents are now invited to choose their favorite conceptual design at each location! Vote by February 24. 

Artwork that receives the most votes will be presented to the City Council on March 6 for final approval. Painting will begin on March 16, 2019 with a kickoff event at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of the Civic Theater at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue.

The application deadline was January 13, 2019. Applications are no longer being accepted. 

Utility Box Locations

There are 5 utility box locations throughout the City. 

  • Location 1: Prospect & Atrium, 1 Box, $400 Stipend
  • Location 2: Prospect & Johnson, 1 Box, $600 Stipend
  • Location 3: Saratoga & Scotland, 1 Box, $600 Stipend
  • Location 4: Saratoga-Sunnyvale & Saratoga, 2 Boxes, $600 Stipend
  • Location 5: Saratoga-Sunnyvale & Saratoga Woods, 2 Boxes, $600 Stipend

View a map of the utility box locations.

Artist Selection 

The Saratoga Public Art Committee will review applications that meet minimum criteria and select up to 3 designs per location. The community will then be invited to rank the designs. The highest ranked designs will be presented to the City Council in February 2019.

Artwork Criteria

Artwork must cover the entire box, not including handles or box identification markers. The lower right corner of the back panel will be reserved for the artist name(s). Entries must be the original design of the applicant(s) and suitable for viewing by all ages.

Artwork may not contain political statements or symbols; religious references or symbols; profane or offensive content; graffiti-like style artwork; copyrighted or trademarked material; or corporate or organizational references, branding, or symbols.

Artists must complete the painting by April 2019.

Artist Responsibilities

Selected artists are responsible for providing all the necessary supplies and tools, including paint, brushes, top coat, and a protective coating. 

Paint

Paint should be premium 100% acrylic latex paint with low-sheen, eggshell or satin finish is recommended. Paint should be minimum 1.5 mil dry thickness per coat. A polyurethane top coat (marine grade) should be applied on top of the completed artwork. The City will coordinate the cleaning and priming of the utility boxes prior to the first day of painting. Following completion of the artwork murals, the City will seal the utility boxes with a UV-protective and anti-graffiti clear-coat.

Suggested Paint Products:

  • Nova Color
  • Sherwin Williams: Accolade Exterior Acrylic Latex, Satin
  • Pratt and Lambert: Accolade Exterior Acrylic Latex, Eggshell
  • Benjamin Moore: Aura Exterior Acrylic Latex #634 Low Luster
  • Frazee #126 Mirror Glide Low Sheen Acrylic Latex
  • Kelly Moore #1245 Acry-Shield Acrylic Latex Low Sheen

Top Coat

Suggested Top Coat:

  • Vella 5% Fluoride Varnish

Protective Coating

Suggested Protective Coating:

  • Frog Juice Water Based: Clear urethane copolymer coating which contains absorbers and hinders amine light stabilizers for maximum UV light protection

2018 Paint the City

In 2018, 7 utility box locations in the City were painted by Saratoga artists. 

Paint the City Utility Box - Allendale & Quito