License Plates for Oregon Coast's Largest Aquarium Coming Soon - Mural Artist Needed

Published 10/12/25 at 6:45 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – Oregonians will soon get their hands on a new license plate design, and the same aquarium that brought you that automotive treat is putting out a call for an artist to paint a mura.

A new specialty license plate featuring Oregon’s iconic tufted puffin is officially headed to production, the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCAq) announced this week. The milestone comes after the successful sale of 3,000 plate vouchers, the threshold required to initiate manufacturing through the Oregon Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

With production now underway, the DMV estimates a six- to seven-month timeline before the plates become available. Voucher holders will receive their original certificates and instructions for redemption approximately one month prior to release. Once launched, the puffin plates will also be available for purchase at DMV offices statewide.

The plate design showcases a tufted puffin floating on the ocean’s surface, gazing at fish below. Native to Oregon’s coastal cliffs and islands, tufted puffins are a key species in the region’s marine ecosystem. Proceeds from the plate will support both the Aquarium’s resident seabirds and conservation efforts for their wild counterparts.

“The puffin plate project has been a labor of love,” said OCAq President/CEO Carrie Lewis, “made possible by everyone who pledged their support by preordering vouchers. We are grateful to have a community so dedicated to both our animals and Oregon’s wildlife.”

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is the state’s only facility authorized to provide critical care to endangered marine species, including sea turtles, Guadalupe fur seals, and snowy plovers. More information about the puffin plate can be found at [aquarium.org/puffin-plate](https://aquarium.org/puffin-plate).

In a separate announcement, the Aquarium is inviting Oregon-based artists to submit proposals for a new mural in its Passages of the Deep exhibit. The commissioned artwork will accompany the exhibit’s life-size megalodon shark jaw and should feature the prehistoric predator as its central theme.

The Aquarium is seeking pieces that evoke awe, curiosity, and a connection to the Oregon coast. Scientific illustration and photo-realistic styles are preferred. The final artwork will be reproduced on vinyl and installed on the exhibit wall; non-digital submissions will be scanned at high resolution.

The budget for the mural commission is $2,500. Submissions are open through November 10, 2025. Interested artists can apply at aquarium.org/passages-mural-rfp.

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