Charles City Town of Colors project looking for 3 artists for this year’s murals

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Three artists are being sought to continue the Town of Colors mural project this year in Charles City.

The next three paid art projects are proposed for the whitewater wall southwest of the public library along the Cedar River, on the Main Street Car Wash building and on the Wisconsin Street Apartment Complex.

Deadline for artists to apply is midnight Friday, April 8, through an online application at www.charlescityarts.org/callformuralartists.

Commission for the projects is $5,000 each for the whitewater wall and car wash murals and $12,000 for the apartment complex mural.

“This project will provide artwork by artists in public spaces for the enjoyment of residents and tourists. These murals will not only beautify our community but will also have a strong impact on the social and economic culture of our town,” said Emily Kiewel, director of the Charles City Arts Center.

Designs for the new murals will be developed in a collaborative effort among the artists, mural committee members and building owners.

The first two murals in the Town of Colors project were painted last summer on the facing walls of Snap Fitness and First Citizens Bank, by internationally known mural artists Gaia (Andrew Pisacane) from Baltimore, Maryland, and Erik Burke from Reno, Nevada.

At the time, committee members said that they wanted known mural artists to do the first two projects to “make a splash” with the public, but that local artists would be considered on future projects.

Interested artists are asked to submit an online application that includes their biography, resume, link to portfolio, interest in the project and artistic process, reference and payment expectations by the April 8 deadline. Finalists will be selected by April 15.

After artist finalists are selected by the mural committee they will be asked to submit a full-color design online for consideration by May 4. A $250 design fee will be paid to artists not chosen for the mural projects.

Proposals will be evaluated based on artistic excellence, vibrancy, and originality of the artist; appropriateness of the design; and experience of the artist in completing similar projects. Designs must be the artist’s own work and not violate any copyright restrictions, a statement by the murals committee said.

The Town of Colors committee will determine final project award and contract terms, with the designs subject to review by the property owners.

Projects are expected to be completed by Sept. 30.

Complete information and instructions are available at the website, www.charlescityarts.org/callformuralartists.