Oregon Coast Public Art Trail

The Creative Coast

There’s something about the fresh salty air that calls on one’s inner artist. Or maybe it’s the sweeping vistas, the breathtaking landscapes, and the magic that nature manifests all around us as flora and fauna that motivates us to create a little beauty of our own. Whatever the source, the Oregon Coast has long been a place of inspiration for artists and makers. For generations, creatives have retreated to the coast to muse, reflect and craft their visions into works of art.

The results of coastal artists’ efforts appear in art galleries and shops, naturally, but also as murals, sculptures, mosaics up and down the coast, on display for all to see. It’s these open-air works of art that the Oregon Coast Public Art Trail celebrates—creations made for the greater good, placed on public display, free and accessible to all year-round, day and night. After all, the Oregon Coast is The People’s Coast, with our legacy and our claim to fame our free, open and accessible public beaches. The Oregon Coast Public Art Trail inventory and map help us all celebrate art that holds this same spirit—beauty by the people, for the people.

Art Trail Map

Explore the icons above to read a description and see a photo of over 800 exhibits on the Trail. Expand the map to get more tools in one screen.

Art For All

None of the art you’ll find on the Public Art Trail is behind closed doors, nor is it only available at certain times of the day or the year, nor is it accessed by way of any admission fees. Each of the more than 800 pieces on the trail, which visitors can find via the interactive map, is free and accessible to the public at all times.

The goal of this project is to help residents and visitors connect with artists, gain a deeper sense of place, and contribute in a meaningful way to artists’ livelihoods.

Use the Public Art Trail map to take a self-guided tour of art along the entire coast, or to home in on the area you happen to be at the moment to find a gem or two. Learn about public art pieces as you pass them by or seek some standouts purposefully as you travel. Galleries and art shops are on this map too, so that visitors can support the regional artists of the coast by taking home a piece of art for themselves. The map also traces the Oregon Coast Trail, so hikers can locate pieces of art that might be near as they complete a segment trek or full coastal hike.

“The goal of this project is to help residents and visitors connect with artists, gain a deeper sense of place, and contribute in a meaningful way to artists’ livelihoods,” said OCVA Director Marcus Hinz. “The public art trail is a perfect call to action for visitors venturing to the coast any time of year, including during the off-peak season.”

This regional effort complements the hard work of many coastal cities, including Port Orford, Florence, Bandon, Seaside and Cannon Beach, which offer their own self-guided public art tours.