Oviedo Seeks Artists to Design Mural at Center Lake Park Boathouse

Oviedo's Public Art Board issued a new call for proposals that clearly excludes AI after the Community Redevelopment Agency received 15 submissions and narrowed them down to four finalists, only to find that the top design raised concerns due to AI-generated content.

The City of Oviedo Public Arts Board in partnership with the Oviedo Community Redevelopment Agency is currently seeking design proposals from artists to paint a mural on the wall behind the boathouse at Center Lake Park, a surface measuring 8 feet long by 13 feet tall. The park is a popular destination that hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, and sits at the heart of the Oviedo on the Park downtown district.

The theme artists must work within is "The 100th Anniversary of Oviedo and Beyond: Past, Present, and Future." Designs must meet three project criteria: they must reflect the values and culture of Oviedo's community and downtown landscape, be suitable for public, pedestrian-friendly environments, and be painted with materials suitable for Florida's exterior weather conditions.

What makes this round different from the first is the explicit prohibition on artificial intelligence. Councilmember Alan Ott cited AI artifacts in the top submission, saying, "When you look at it, it is just full of AI artifacts. And in my opinion, if we paint this, in Center Lake Park, we will be mocked." Councilmember Natalie Teuchert went further, expressing concern that "I don't want to pick an artist who's selling their artwork by stealing other people's artwork." To ensure authenticity, the city revised the competition criteria, prohibiting the use of AI to generate or enhance submitted designs.

On the financial side, the artist of the winning design will receive a stipend of $3,000 after signing an agreement with the City, and a materials and equipment budget of up to $4,000 is also available. Winners should be aware of the contractual obligations that come with the prize: the winning artist must sign an agreement with the City for the purchase of the mural design for the City's exclusive use, provide their own liability insurance to cover the scope of the project, and use durable, outdoor-appropriate paints and sealants.

To apply, artists must complete an entry form on the City of Oviedo's website and submit a full-color design of the proposed mural. Submissions will close on March 31, 2026. That leaves a tight window for artists who want their work permanently displayed at one of Oviedo's most-visited public spaces as the city marks a century of incorporation.