ARLINGTON — The Arlington Arts Council is seeking proposals for entryway signs into the city.

The signs would be erected at the city’s five major entries — eastbound and westbound SR 530, northbound and southbound Highway 9 and SR 531 in Smokey Point.

“We wanted to start getting proposals so that we could look at them at the auction,” said Sarah Hegge, Arlington recreation manager and arts council member, referring to the Oct. 17 Fall into Art Auction.

Proposals, which are due Oct. 15, could take inspiration from nature or from each entryway’s geographical features, such as a heron or eagle at Island Crossing or an airplane or smoke signal at Smokey Point.

Arts council members recommend that the basic structure be 15-18 feet long by 10-15 tall, with wording similar to “Welcome to Arlington.”

Signs could include river rock, a frame or a background, and must be weatherproof.

Details are up to the artist, council members said, as long as the sign’s wording can be seen from drivers traveling between 30-50 miles per hour.

Hegge said the entryway sign project has been on the city’s back burner for years until council president Sarah Arney suggested the council start getting proposals.

“The city doesn’t really have funding for it, but we’re willing to look for funding,” Hegge said.

The council is donating a portion of the proceeds from the auction to the sign project.

Hegge said she would love to be able to start constructing at least one of the signs by summer 2010.

For more information about the project, contact Hegge at 360-403-3448 or Arney at 360-435-3778.