CALL TO ARTISTS FOR A RACIAL JUSTICE MURAL IN OLD SAYBROOK
ABOUT PARJE / OUR MISSION:
Public Art for Racial Justice Education began shortly after the tragic killing of George Floyd. We are a broadly based, interracial, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization consisting of volunteers from the communities of East Lyme, Lyme, New London, Norwich, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Essex, Waterford, Stonington and are open to other neighboring communities who would like to join us.
As our country struggles to address the underlying issues of racial injustice, we believe that public art has an important role in racial justice awareness and helping to build “the Beloved Community” envisioned by Martin Luther King Jr. Public art can help bring to light the history of the displacement of Indigenous communities, as well as the history of the use of enslaved people in our towns. Through public art and accompanying public programs, we can better understand our true history, but also, it can help us to appreciate the rich diversity of our human family and challenge us to be engaged in contemporary racial justice issues.
We also believe that public art can help to keep alive, from one generation to another, the stories of local and national figures who have distinguished themselves as racial justice champions. Their stories can teach what it means today to make our communities more just, more equitable, more welcoming, and more sustainable.
About the Sister Mural Project:
Public Art for Racial Justice Education (PARJE) is creating murals in neighboring towns. Community members will be involved in the planning and creation phases with an end goal of facilitating conversations about inclusivity, racial justice, and commemorate important events and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color) figures from the region's past. The first three murals have been painted in Norwich, Old Lyme and New London.
Call-to-Artist:
The Sister Murals project in Old Saybrook is seeking applications from professional mural artists and emerging artists to work on this project. Artists must complete an initial pre-screening application and a selection committee will determine semi-finalists.
It will be an expectation of the artist to engage the community in the painting process and include 1 or 2 local apprentice artists as part of the project. Apprentices are paid from a separate budget as well.
As per our mission, preference will be given to an artist with connection to the Connecticut River valley or coastal region, a strong appreciation for systemic racism and its impacts, and a commitment to promoting racial justice. Black, Indigenous and Artists of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility:
All professional artists or artist teams may apply. If artists are applying as a team, the team should be listed on the application form, specifying one individual as the primary contact. This is a community-based project and as such artists should be willing to engage with the community through planned workshops.
Budget Details:
The budget for the mural includes a competitive stipend and an additional budget for materials, paint, lift, other supplies. This stipend includes at least 3 design renderings for the mural with 2 revisions and the artist fee associated with executing the mural project in its entirety, including preparing the wall surface.
Project Timeline:
Deadline for application – August 15, 2022 - Artists must submit their application via email. Semi-finalists will be asked to present concept designs at a mutually agreed-upon date and time.
The selected muralist and the PARJE team will work to create the artwork schedule in Fall 2022.PLEASE READ THE BELOW INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING
Application Procedure:
We recommend you compile all necessary documents before starting the application which includes:
A. Statement of Interest: Explain why you (or your team) are interested in creating a mural that centers around racial justice and education. Explain why you would be a good candidate and how your experience informs how you will respond to the themes and goals of the project. (1000 characters max).B. Artist Resume or Portfolio: Applicants should include information and/or images of existing artwork from all artists applying.
C. Submission: Application can be sent to:
For the submission you will need:
a. Name of primary contact
b. Address (City, State)
c. Phone Number
d. Email Address
e. Statement of Interest
f. Race/Ethnicity
g. Number of previous large-scale professional murals (if any)
h. Attachments:i. 3 to 5 Images of previous mural work
ii. Artist Resume/CV
OUR PROCESS:
Deadline for Application: August 15, 2022
Final Selection:a. Concept Proposal Presentation. Each semi-finalist artist or artist team will have the opportunity to present their concept proposal to the Selection Panel (on an agreed upon date/time).
This presentation should include the following:
i. Conceptual possibilities for the proposed artworkii. Verbal and written description of the proposal
iii. Artwork schedule including final design through installation
iv. A summary of long-term maintenance requirements for the proposed artwork.Following the concept proposal presentations, the Artist Selection Committee will select the final artist or artist team for the project. The selected artists or artist teams will work closely with the project team to advance the concept through design development and final shop drawings in preparation for fabrication.
Final artwork design must be approved before authorization to fabricate is granted.
All applicants submitting concept proposals must agree to the following:
1. The artist or artist team shall retain intellectual property rights to the artwork commissioned for the PARJE mural.
2. Proposed artwork must be original and unique to the PARJE Sister Mural ProjectEvaluation Criteria:
The following criteria will be used for concept proposal scoring and final artist selection:
1. Artwork reflects authenticity, originality, evokes response or inquiry
2. Relevance: Artwork is appropriate for the site, architecture, occupants, environment, and mission of PARJE
3. Feasibility: Detailed Project Schedule indicating the artwork can be fully implemented
4. Durability and Permanence: The artwork is materially and structurally sound. Artwork is resistant to theft, vandalism, and is low maintenance.
5. Experience: Demonstrated experience that artist can complete a large-scale outdoor mural project
Submission: Application can be sent to: