Congratulations to our Picnic Table Design Winners!
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Craig Snodgrass
Angus Carter
Lilly King and Cici Doan
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Rachel Brown
Cutch Tuttle
vote for your favorite!
The Staunton Augusta Art Center, in partnership with the City of Staunton, is leading a new public Art initiative at the Wharf—designed to transform an underused section of downtown into a vibrant and welcoming public space.
This community-driven project will bring color and creativity to the Wharf through custom-painted picnic tables, combining functional seating with bold artistic expression. By blending Art with accessible gathering spaces, it invites people to linger, connect, and rediscover the Wharf as a hub for creativity, community, and conversation.
Throughout July, artists were invited to submit original table designs. We’re now in the voting phase, where the public can help shape the next step of the project.
Below are the submitted designs. You can vote for your five (5) favorites using the form at the bottom of the page through July 31. In August, selected designs will be painted during community workshops led by SAAC teaching artists and installed at the Wharf.
submitted designs
Picnic Table Design Proposals for Wharf Pop-Up Park
The Staunton Augusta Art Center invites artists to submit original designs to be featured on picnic tables as part of a new community-driven public Art initiative.
This project will activate a currently vacant section of the Wharf with vibrant, custom-painted tables—offering a creative, welcoming space for people to gather while the City of Staunton explores redevelopment of the site. The painted tables will enhance the area’s visual appeal, encourage public use, and support nearby businesses, blending public Art with accessible outdoor seating.
Submit a Design
Artists are invited to submit a table design to be painted during community-based workshops later this summer. Five designs will be selected through an online community vote hosted by SAAC. Selected artists will each receive a $100 honorarium for use of their design. Artists are welcome—but not required—to assist in the painting process.
Design Guidelines
All submissions must adhere to the City of Staunton’s Public Art Policy, which prohibits:
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Nudity
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Violent or threatening imagery
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Sexual themes
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Religious hostility or endorsement
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Copyright or trademark violations
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Desecration of the American flag
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Racially offensive or defamatory content
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Content related to political campaigns
For full policy details please see link at bottom of the page.
Designs should be colorful, family-friendly, and suitable for community members of all ages to help paint. Final table artwork will evolve through public workshops led by SAAC teaching artists.
Design Specs
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Three tables measure 8' long x 28" wide (96" x 28")
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Two tables measure 6' long x 29" wide (72" x 29")
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Bench width is approximately 11"
We recommend creating a center-weighted design to accommodate edge falloff and ensure the most visually important elements remain prominent as the artwork adapts during painting.
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Submit your design as a JPG file
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Recommended minimum size: 1000 pixels on the longest side
This is a unique opportunity to share your Art with the community and help reimagine one of downtown Staunton’s most iconic public spaces.