PARJE SISTER MURALS
Open Call To Artists
Please read this entire page carefully. All information is included here.
You may direct any questions to
Matt Conway: Matt.conway@theriseupgroup.org
DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE HERE
NOTE: You do not need to have completed any murals to participate. We are looking for trained and untrained mural artists. Both will have the ability to express their vision and our goal is to empower and train a new group of muralists.
DEADLINE: The deadline has passed for the current 5 murals, but we still want to see your work. Please apply and we will consider you for future projects.
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 slaves in local households, farms, the whaling industry, the building of ships in the West Indies Trade and the ivory industry. 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 – those such as David Ruggles, Antoine DeSant, Rachel Robinson, Anna Louise James, Ann Petry, Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer and Ruby Bridges – all those 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 four murals in four neighboring towns. Community members and local schools 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 figures from the region's past. The first four murals will be painted in Norwich, Old Lyme, East Lyme, and New London.
Call-to-Artist:
The Sister Murals project is seeking applications from professional mural artists and emerging artists to work on this project. Artists must complete an initial pre-screening application and selection committees in each town will determine semi-finalists.
You do not need to have completed any murals to participate. We are looking for trained and untrained mural artists. Both will have the ability to express their vision and our goal is to empower and train a new group of muralists. Applicants may be offered a Lead Muralist role or an Apprentice Muralist role, based on experience and project requirements.
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. Apprentice are paid from a separate budget as well.
As per our mission, priority will be given to BIPOC artists.
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 for both the Lead Muralist and Apprentice Muralist and an additional budget for materials, paint, lift, other supplies, and an emerging artist(s) to support. 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 - January 14 2022 - Artists must submit their application via email or mail.
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 Spring 2022.
PLEASE READ THE BELOW INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING
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: Teams should include information and/or images of existing artwork from all artists applying.
C. Submission: Application are accepted online at https://www.racialjusticeart.org/call-to-artists
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. Interested in which mural? (New London, Old Lyme, East Lyme, No Preference)
h. Number of previous large-scale professional murals
i. Attachments: i. Images of previous mural work
ii. Artist Resume/CV
OUR PROCESS:
Deadline for Application: January 14, 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. Concept renderings/drawings of the proposed artwork including dimensions, materials, colors, and finishes
ii. Verbal and written description of the proposal
iii. Artwork budget
iv. Artwork schedule including final design through installation
v. 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.
2. Proposed artwork must be original and unique to the PARJE Sister Mural Project
Evaluation 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 Budget indicating the artwork can be fully implemented
4. Feasibility: Detailed Project Schedule indicating the artwork can be fully implemented
5. Durability and Permanence: The artwork is materially and structurally sound. Artwork is resistant to theft, vandalism, and is low maintenance.
6. Experience: Demonstrated experience that artist can complete a large-scale mural project Insurance
THE MURAL LOCATIONS:
1) New London: Fulton Park
The New London Sister Mural will occupy a neglected wall in Fulton Park near the NLPD. This project is also a part of an effort to beautify a space in that park that will be used for community gathering, performances and educational programs. PARJE is leading this project with the support of the NAACP New London Branch and The New London Arts Council. The timing of the New London mural will be to have it completed by Spring 2022.
2) Old Lyme: Old Lyme Middle Schools
This Mural focuses on the Old Lyme Middle School, furthering local education on local history, and the importance of diversity. Our theme for Old Lyme is "A bigger table" focusing on Old Lyme's tradition of hosting refugees and welcoming people of all background. PARJE is leading this project with the support of the LOL School System, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
3) East Lyme: Exact location TBD
Community members and local schools 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 figures from the region's past. This Mural will focus on East Lyme and Niantic, beautifying a neglected community gathering space. PARJE is leading this project with the support of The Barn for Artistic Youth and the East Lyme High School.