Summary
!Attention! Arts at Work is a jobs program for public art. The first project of this jobs program is a mural by Island artists that will be installed at Open Space for Arts and Community.
The mural will consist of 60 panels each 32” square. Local artists will create individual works on the panels, forming a collage of Island art. Artists may create 2- or 3-dimensional works of art on the panels. Open Space is the commissioning organization. This call is a request for qualifications that asks for examples of an artist’s recent or relevant work. Previous experience with murals and public art is not necessary.
Artistic theme: Backyard Universe
Visual theme: Artists will incorporate a good dose of Pyrrole Red.
Art Goals and Criteria
The goals of the mural are to provide income for Island artists with financial need and create a public testament to the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, the economic and cultural crisis, and the future beyond it. The mural will remain in place for at least three years.
Artist Eligibility
Artists must live on Vashon Island and must have financial need, such as the loss of a day job or reduction in hours, loss of traditional opportunities for sales, commissions, and/or artistic fees or loss of a job by a partner or spouse within their household.
Open Space for Arts & Community is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal opportunity without regard to age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, pregnancy, maternity, marriage, civil partnership, citizenship, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable law.
Art Location
The mural will be located at Open Space on the main building, 18870 103rd Avenue SW, Vashon. The mural will be affixed to the north wall of the Open Space facility east of the front doors between the two red bay doors. The 60 panels will be hung on a steel mounting structure fabricated for the mural.
Each year thousands of people attend art and community events at Open Space. The mural will beautify the wall east of the main entrance and be a focal point of the building. The mural fronts the parking lot that often fills beyond capacity during events. During slower times, families bike or walk past the front of the building on their way to the Tool Library or the green space and trails south of the building. The site of the mural is always open to the public. Security cameras and public use minimize vandalism risks.
The mural will combine 60 works of art into one piece of collaborative art.
Budget and Materials
Artists will be paid $500 for 1 panel and $350 for a maximum of two (2) panels
Commission structure: 1 panel -$500 , 2 panels – $850
Open Space will provide the support panel(s) upon which the art will be created and 6 or fewer 4-ounce containers of Nova Paints, which are specially formulated for murals. Artists will be responsible for the cost of additional Nova Paints. Artists are responsible for all other material costs. Because this is an exterior mural that will have to withstand years of rain, wind, sun and other harsh weather, it is REQUIRED that all painters use Nova Paints exclusively.
Artists may propose panels in other media, 2D or 3D. These should be weatherproof and able to withstand years of the elements outdoors. Artists who propose media other than Nova Paints should submit a thorough proposal detailing their media, approach, and plans to make their work weatherproof.
Open Space will provide the support, one (1) or two (2) 32” square MDO panels per artist’s proposal primed front and back with a water-based primer with mounting holes in each corner. The panel edges will be filled as needed and sealed. Open Space will seal the completed artwork with Nova Color #216 Exterior Varnish (satin), a clear topcoat for exterior use. Open Space will provide artists with a topcoat sample so that they may test the sealant on their work.
Application Requirements
Artists should submit the following information for consideration .
● 8 digital images (jpg format with image size set to 300 dpi, 4” x 6” image size, approximately). Please use the following format for naming digital files: Artist name-Artwork Title-Length x Height (Depth in case of sculpture)-Year. For example, J.M.W. Turner-Dawn after the Wreck-14×10-1841.
● An annotated list of images with title, media, size, date, and other relevant information
● A short statement of interest and a brief description of financial need (100 to 300 words)
● a resume or short biography
Please email applications to info@openspacevashon.com . Artists also may use this email to submit questions or request a phone consultation.
Deadline and Submission Address
All submissions must be received by midnight on July 17, 2020 . Early submissions are encouraged.
Please email submissions to info@openspacevashon.com . No mailed submissions will be accepted.
Selection Process and Criteria
The selection panel will include members of Open Space and VIVA, professional artists, and community representatives. Selection criteria include artistic excellence and financial need.
Project Timeline
Submission deadline: July 17
Panel review: July 17 to July 23
Artist notification: July 24
Panel pick up and contract signing: July 25 and 26
Completed artwork due; payment to artists: September 4
Curation and installation: September 5 to September 25
Unveiling and opening: October 2
Organizations Overseeing the Mural Project
Open Space for Arts and Community
Vashon Island Visual Artists (VIVA)