Calling all local artists! Oxford leaders are looking for art to showcase in the municipal building lobby for the new “Call for Art” project.

The city says all types of local art dating less than five years old and weighing less than 30 pounds will be considered.

Submissions will undergo a blind jury process for selection, which will involve members of the Public Arts Commission of Oxford.

Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene said that the jury will factor in the overall picture, size and description of the art before making a final decision.

Heidi Schiller, executive director of the Oxford Community Arts Center, said the program is the result of a partnership between the public arts commission and the arts center.

“As far as I know, this is the first time that there has been this type of partnership for public art installation between the City of Oxford and the OCAC,” Schiller said.

Schiller said the project was drawn up sometime in 2020; however, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the program’s start.

“Our goal is to simply have at least enough pieces to be able to fill the spaces in the city municipal building with artwork,” said Eli Davies, a junior political science major at Miami University and an intern for the city manager’s office.

Greene said that ultimately, the organizers may have to turn some submissions away.

“We’ve already received around 36 submissions,” Greene said. “I was really surprised.”

The program is taking submissions until Sept. 5.

“What we’re trying to do is embrace our local creative artists, trying to encourage creativity in everyone,” Greene said. “It’s open to children, adults, professionals, and amateurs.”