Scenic Artist I

Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 31,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR, seeks a Scenic Artist I to prepare, layout, paint and texture scenery and props for OSF productions. The role supports a diverse design team and requires adherence to safety and anti-racist practices.

Expect 11/2/2026 to 12/18/2026, with a pay rate of $27.66 hourly under IATSE Local 154. Work includes collaboration, independent tasking, and occasional overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience in scenic art or faux finishing.
• Four years of educational experience in scenic painting may be considered in lieu of professional work.

Responsibilities

• Paint, texture and finish scenery and props per design.
• Model and support OSF IDEA values through inclusive behavior and safety.
• Interpret drawings and paint elevations to achieve set look.
• Generate paint samples and perform touch ups.
• Label paint colors and document all work.
• Follow safety practices and dispose of hazardous materials.

Skills

Paint mixing

Rollers & brushes

Scenic painting techniques

Drawing & layout

Carving & sculpting

Computer basics

Team collaboration

Education

Four years of scenic painting education

Tools

HVLP spray guns

Airbrushes

Paint textures & finishes

Job description

Description

Position Overview:

The Scenic Artist I will work collaboratively and independently to prepare, layout, paint and texture all scenery and props for OSF productions.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with IATSE Local 154.

Pay rate: $27.66 hourly

Expected dates: 11/2/2026 - 12/18/2026

• Paint, texture and finish scenery and props according to design
• Model and support OSF IDEA values by:
  • Demonstrating inclusive behaviors and creating an environment of
  • Maintaining a safe and anti-racist working environment
  • Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting othering
• Interpret drawings, paint elevations and research to achieve the look of the set
• Generate paint samples and touch up
• Accurately label paint colors and document all
• Follow Scene Shop / Paint Shop safety practices and procedures, including using appropriate PPE and safely disposing of all hazardous materials. Adheres to OSF Safety and Scene Shop Safety protocols.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and clean shop spaces and
• Perform touch ups and notes on scenery and props as
• Pick up and deliver
• Attend company, department and shop meetings, including safety trainings, as
• Support Marketing and Development efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned by shop managers.

Supervision Received:

Supervised by Charge Scenic Artist, Technical Director, and other shop managers.

Supervision Exercised:

Qualifications and Skills

Work Experience: Two years of professional experience in scenic art or faux finishing. Four years of educational experience in scenic painting will be considered in lieu of professional work experience.

Physical Ability:

Must be able to: Lift and move materials and equipment weighing up to 65 pounds, regularly squat and maintain position while painting scenery, regularly crawl and kneel while painting scenery, regularly reach above shoulders, and stand and walk for up to 8 hours. This position requires the occasional use of ladders and personnel lifts, fall arrest harnesses, and respirators.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

Scenic Artist I will have demonstrated skills in the following areas. This is a non-comprehensive list:

• Basic knowledge of paint mixing
• General knowledge of using different types of rollers, brushes, and
• Early practice of various scenic art techniques including distressing, tromp l’oeil, faux finishes and

texturing.

• Basic drawing and layout skills
• Basic knowledge of carving and sculpting with a variety of materials
• An understanding of the work schedule and the ability to meet
• Basic ability to work with computers (emails, spreadsheets, cloud-based information services)
• The ability to create positive work relationships with designers, colleagues and staff in other

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Basic experience with spray guns, including HVLPs, airbrushes, P50s and airless sprayers, including maintenance and
• Proficiency in laying out and painting
• Introductory knowledge of painting a variety of materials including metal, wood, fabric and
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving
• An understanding that identity informs every individual’s human experience in a way that may differ from one’s own personal

Standard work week is Monday – Friday. Occasional night-time and weekend hours are required for notes and overtime.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.