The Art Alliance of Idyllwild is seeking artists and sponsors for an ambitious public art project. The project plans to permanently place 15 life-size aluminum deer, stags, fawns and does at 10 Idyllwild businesses. The purpose of the project is to enhance Idyllwild’s image as an art mecca and launch a drive to create more public art in the village.

Local artists will paint each deer using acrylic paint that will be sealed to protect the artwork. Each artist’s work will be unique and refer to some aspect of Idyllwild’s history. The deadline for local artists, AAI members only, to submit a two-page application, is 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Applications must be postmarked by Friday May 17 and mailed to Shanna Robb at P.O. Box 2457, Idyllwild 92549. Applications are available on the AAI site, www.artinidyllwild.org.

Project manager Robb said she already has seven of 15 sponsors and is holding the sponsorship applications open until June 15. Sponsorships are available for $475 and are tax deductible. Both sponsors and artists will be memorialized on plaques on the featured art.