VACAVILLE, Calif. – The City of Vacaville, in partnership with community-built artist Tom Arie Donch, is announcing an exciting opportunity for local creatives: the recruitment of two artists from the Trower Park neighborhood to join the design and construction of a new Alebrije-style community sculpture at Trower Park.
Selected artists will work as part of a collaborative team alongside Donch—best known locally for the iconic dragon sculptures in Andrews Park. This unique project includes skill-building workshops, long-term mentorship, and paid honorariums and living stipends based on time commitment. The offering is an invaluable pathway for artists looking to grow their public art experience and build their professional portfolios.
A Community-Centered Art Experience
The project will unfold in two phases. The first phase includes an Artist-in-Residence program, where artists explore Alebrije design traditions and develop drawings and models that will guide the final sculpture. Artists will also gain hands-on experience presenting concepts to community groups and public entities.
The second phase will take place at the studios of Tom Arie Donch in Vallejo, CA and on site at Trower Park, where the team—alongside local residents—will build, sculpt, and paint the community artwork. This collaborative approach follows the same community-built model Donch has used in major regional projects.
Who Can Apply
This opportunity is open to artists 18 and older who reside in the Trower Park neighborhood. Applicants will be selected based on their artwork, community spirit, collaborative abilities, and enthusiasm for professional growth. Experience in public art or related trades is welcome but not required.
Application Details
Interested artists should submit the following by January 8, 2026:
- Letter of interest
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Email
- 8–10 digital images of original artwork
- Optional: website links
- Optional: current resume
Applications should be sent to:
Tom Arie Donch
adonch@outlook.com
707-334-2234
Two informational meetings will be held with Donch on December 13 and January 8th for artists interested in learning more about the project and application process.
For more information and to get involved, contact Melody Land via email or phone (707) 449-5657.
# # #
About Tom Arie Donch
A community-built artist, designer, and mentor with 47 years of experience, Tom Arie Donch has completed more than 300 public projects across 21 U.S. states, Mexico, and Canada. His Vacaville work includes the Andrews Park Dragon, and his recent focus has been mentoring emerging artists in community-led public art. Watch Tom at work on the Vallejo Transit Center SolTrans Project; an artist residency program that developed local artists in Vallejo.
Contact:
Melody Land
Recreation Manager
707-449-5657
Melody.Land@CityofVacaville.gov
View and print press release.