Be happy in your work!
Belmont Art History Lesson
John of no value No.1
For over three years I have been posting on the BHS, and suspected only I could see my posts. This was done to FOOL ME, make me feel Im being heard in a faux manner, so, I won’t be mad, or, feel impotent.
I discovered their devious little trick when I noticed “No comments yet?” just after I commented. I commented two more times, with same results. I was rendered – invisible to thousands of citizens of Belmont. The owners of this Facebook page – had some good chuckles – behind my back. When you frame this and hang it in a gallery, it will have a powerful induct – because you are going to hear ugly voices.
Behold the requirement form artists must endure – before they can create. Imagine the invisible form – before your posts can be seen. How many citizens are – TRICKED and DISCORAGED? How many who apply to paint a hydrant – will be rejected? Will their applications’ go into a file? Will you have to take a blood tests – f you are a….
CHOSEN ONE!
Don’t’ be RED-EXED Out!
I will be selling this REJETIONS for $5,000
John Presco
Found art (objet trouvé) is a genre of art created from, or incorporating, everyday, discarded, or natural objects not typically considered artistic, such as, for example, this YouTube video shows, an old spoon or a piece of driftwood. Pioneered by artists like Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso in the early 20th century, these works challenge traditional definitions of art by recontextualizing mundane items into sculpture, assemblage, or collage. 
The Salon des Refusés, French for “exhibition of rejects” (French pronunciation: [salɔ̃ de ʁəfyze]), is generally known as an exhibition of works rejected by the jury of the official Paris Salon, but the term is most famously used to refer to the Salon des Refusés of 1863.[1][2]
Today, by extension, salon des refusés refers to any exhibition of works rejected from a juried art show.
Key Aspects of Found Art
- Definition & Origins: Originating from the French objet trouvé, this art form gained prominence in the 20th century, often associated with Dadaism and Surrealism. It turns everyday, manufactured, or natural items into artistic,, according to Wikipedia.
In anticipation of the City of Belmont’s Centennial Celebration in 2026, the City, in collaboration with MidPeninsula Water District, is seeking artists to showcase their work on this project by painting one of 24
selected fire hydrants located throughout Belmont.
This packet contains: Program information, FAQs, a sample Artists Agreement, Artist Application, and
Hydrant Locations
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PROGRAM INFORMATION
Round 2 Applications will not be accepted after Monday, March 2, 2026 at 5PM.
If not all hydrants are allocated during Round 1, a second round may be announced at a later date.
Please read this “Call for Artists” in its entirety before completing the application.
Eligibility
While all adults and youth are invited to apply for this program, priority will be given to artists that either
live, learn, or work in Belmont. Student artists are also encouraged to apply. Artists may enlist assistants
or art instructors to help them complete the project. All entries must be an original design and artwork of
the entrant must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
Description and Location of Eligible Hydrants
- See attached map of eligible hydrant locations along Ralston and Alameda de las Pulgas.
- IMPORTANT: Not all previously painted hydrants are eligible for painting. A hydrant may
only be painted after receiving approval from the City.
Artwork Opportunity
The art should enliven the area. The art should be visible from a distance; therefore, artists may choose to
utilize bold colors and designs. Artists can submit more than one concept for the same location.
The proposed hydrant painting using only the approved paint type and must cover all sides and top of the
hydrant. All edges must be painted neatly; do not paint the concrete around the hydrant. See the Frequently
Asked Questions on pages 4 and 5 for more requirements.
Painting cannot begin until the design has been approved, all liability and Artist Agreement are completed,
and hydrant has been prepped for painting by Mid-Peninsula Water District. The work must be completed
by the completion date on the Agreement. If not, the hydrant may be assigned to another artist. Artists
under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian also sign all forms and the parent or guardian must be
present during all painting activity.
Entries that use a copyrighted or trademarked image will not be accepted. In addition, the art must be
original and appropriate for viewing by all segments of the community. Entries must not defame or invade
the rights of any person(s), living or dead. The art may include the artist’s initials on the back (not facing
the street) of the hydrant (no larger than 1” x 1”).
Artist is responsible for providing all supplies to complete the project. There is no reimbursement by the
City for the cost of supplies.
The artwork will become the property of the City of Belmont and include a waiver of all Artists rights
under Visual Artists Rights Act, 17 U.S.C §§106A and 113(d) (“VARA”), the California Art Preservation
Act, Cal. Civil Code §§ 987 and 989 (“CAPA”).
Application
Each of the following items must be submitted to parksrec@belmont.gov or at 30 Twin Pines Lane,
Belmont, CA.
- A fully completed Application (pages 9-11 of this document). (incomplete applications will not be
considered)
3 - A conceptual COLOR drawing using the template and showing the planned artwork for the front, back,
and sides, of the hydrant. Submissions may be hand drawn or computer generated. Please note that
hydrants differ in size, so this is just a concept drawing. - While the City will have the final determination, Artist may request a specific hydrant location.
Artist Selection Process will consist of: - Review and selection by a Parks & Recreation Commission subcommittee and the Mid-Peninsula Water
District. - Selections will be presented at the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on April 1, 2026 for final
approval. - Artists will be notified by email by April 8, 2026
Notes: Decisions by the Subcommittee and District are final; selection and notification dates may
change.
Selection Criteria
- Artwork that can be transferred from original sketch to hydrant.
- Artwork that relates to the location of the hydrant and the surrounding area.
- Artwork that emphasizes the City’s unique characteristics, historic heritage, or a key activity.
- Artwork that is whimsical
If You Are Selected
- Artists must sign a City of Belmont liability release and Artist’s Agreement.
- Mid-Peninsula Water will prepare the hydrant for painting.
- Artist will be notified when hydrant is ready for painting.
- Work must be completed within 60 days of notification.
- Artist must notify the City when the project is completed.
Please direct questions to the Parks & Recreation office at (650) 595-7441 or parksrec@belmont.gov.
The City of Belmont (“City”) and the undersigned (“Artist”) agree to the following terms and conditions
for Artist’s participation in the Centennial Happy Hydrant Art Program (“Program”) by decorating
(“Artwork”) a fire hydrant owned by Mid-Peninsula Water District (“District”).
The Artwork
The art may be painted only on the hydrant identified and assigned by the City and only after Artist
receives written authorization from the City to paint the selected hydrant. The art on the hydrant must
conform to the artwork submitted for consideration, including color, composition and text. The hydrant
designs must conform to the following restrictions:
a. Paint used on the hydrant will be limited to Benjamin Moore Super Spec HP D.T.M Alkyd Low
Lustre P23 paint.
b. The area surrounding the hydrant must be kept clean and orderly during all painting activities. A
drop cloth must be securely taped around the base of the hydrant to protect the sidewalk, ground,
and any adjoining surfaces.
c. Paint must not interfere with the operational functionality of the hydrant. Specifically:
i. Hydrant threads must remain unpainted.
ii. Paint must not seep into any components in a manner that could impair operation.
d. Painting may not reduce the hydrant’s visibility. The following restrictions apply:
i. Paint may not be all black, all white, dark camouflage green, or use patterns and/or
designs that reduce the hydrant’s visibility.
ii. Paint colors may not be the same color as the vegetation or items surrounding the
hydrant.
iii. Black paint may not cover more than 20% of the overall hydrant.
iv. Use bright, vibrant colors.
e. No objects may be attached to or added onto the hydrant.
f. Design must be appropriate for public places. The following are strictly prohibited:
i. Paintings/art cannot endorse an individual or business
ii. No offensive, derogatory or obscene graphics
iii. No gang tags
g. Logos, copyrighted or trademarked graphics are not permitted.
Reimbursement of Supplies
There is no reimbursement for supplies for the Happy Hydrant program.
Original work
Artist represents that the Artwork is original and is solely the product of Artist’s own creative efforts and
does not infringe any patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, or other proprietary right of any person or
entity.
Artist’s Waiver of Moral Rights
Artist waives all claims against City of Belmont arising under the federal Visual Artists Rights Act (17
U.S.C. §§106A and 113(d)), the California Art Preservation Act (Cal. Civil Code §§987 et seq.), and any
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other local, state, federal or international laws that convey rights of the same nature as those conveyed
under 17 U.S.C. §106A, Cal. Civil Code §§987 et seq., or any other type of moral right protecting the
integrity of works of art.
Maintenance; removal
City and District are not required to maintain the Artwork and are not liable to Artist for damage or
vandalism of the Artwork however caused. City or District may determine to allow the Artwork to
deteriorate if deemed appropriate. If the Artwork suffers damage or deterioration, City or District may in
its sole discretion remove the Artwork from display or may alter or remove the Artwork in whole or in
part in their sole judgment at any time without notice to Artist.
When a painted Happy Hydrant is decommissioned by the District, District staff will reach out to the
community member involved in painting that hydrant, and the decommissioned hydrant will be offered to
the program participants at no cost. The hydrant will secondarily be offered to any business and neighbors
in the immediate vicinity or the City. Program participants will be responsible for maintaining their
contact information with the District, if they desire to be contacted upon decommissioning. It is noted that
the time an individual hydrant will be decommissioned cannot be known. Recipients of a decommissioned
Happy Hydrant will be required to pick the hydrant up from the District’s corporation yard.
Assignment of Copyright and Title; Authorization for City’s Use of Artwork
Artist assigns to the City of Belmont all rights, title, and interest, including copyright, in and to the
Artwork. By this assignment, Artist irrevocably grants the City of Belmont and Mid-Peninsula Water
District the unconditional right to use, reproduce, copy, sell, exhibit, publish, or distribute, in whole or in
part, in any medium now or later developed, photographs and other two- or three-dimensional
reproductions of the Artwork for informational, educational, promotional, public relations, advertising,
tourism, art, commercial, or non-commercial purposes― without charge to City and without payment to
Artist of any compensation, fee, royalty, or damages (now or later).
Publicity.
Artist grants the City of Belmont and Mid-Peninsula Water District permission to use without
compensation Artist’s name, likeness, and biographical information, in connection with the display or
reproduction and distribution of the Artwork including all advertising and promotional materials regarding
the City.
Waiver of Claims
In exchange for the City’s and District’s permitting Artist to participate in the Centennial Happy Hydrant
Art Program, Artist waives any right of recovery against the City or District (including its officers, agents
and employees) for any injury or damage to Artist including without limitation bodily injury, personal
injury (i.e., libel, slander, defamation of character), and injury to property rights, arising out of Artist’s
participating in Centennial Happy Hydrant Art Program
Indemnification
Artist agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City and District and their officers, agents and
employees from all costs, claims and liabilities related to or arising from executing the Artwork, including
without limitation costs, claims and liabilities asserting any sort of injury or damage including bodily
injury, defamation, misappropriation of name or likeness, property damage, and infringement of property
right, except to the extent such loss is the result of the active negligence or willful misconduct of City or
District.
Liability of City and District
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City’s payment obligations under this agreement shall be limited to reimbursement of expenses provided
for in this agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, in no event is the City or
District liable to Artist (regardless of whether any claim is based on contract or tort) for any special,
consequential, indirect or incidental damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) arising out of or
in connection with this agreement or the Work performed in connection with this agreement.
No Employment Relationship
Artist is at all times to be an independent contractor and is wholly responsible for the manner in which
Artist performs the Work. Artist is liable for the acts and omissions of itself, its employees and its agents.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employment or agency relationship between
City or District and Artist. Any terms in this Agreement referring to direction from City shall be construed
as providing for direction as to policy and the result of Artist’s work only, and not as to the means by
which such a result is obtained.
Binding on others; California law
This Agreement is binding upon Artist’s heirs, successors, licensees, agents and assigns, and is governed
by the laws of the State of California.
Entire Agreement; Modification
This Agreement represents the entire and integrated agreement between City and Artist, and replaces all
other negotiations, understandings, promises, and agreements, either oral or written. This agreement may
only be modified in writing signed by the City’s authorized representative and Artist.
c
Rosamond Press 
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