GATEWAYS TO ORANGE
CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Arts Center in Orange requests proposals for three outdoor murals that reflect or enhance our community as we celebrate 25 years of bringing art to our community. Murals will be painted between June and September 2022.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 BY 5PM EST

 

ABOUT
THE ARTS CENTER

The Arts Center in Orange is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in 1997 by a group of dedicated artists and community members. They began by offering classes and having small gallery shows in a series of buildings leased at reduced rates.

The original Gateway Mural

 In 2000, responding to an appeal from then-Mayor Ray Lonick, The Arts Center launched a project to create a mural masking the scrap yard greeting visitors to Orange as they approached from Rt. 20 South. The project included artists, school children, and construction provided by the Town of Orange engineer and carpenters. Local businessman and former Mayor Bob Morin offered a 10,000 sq. ft. building on Main Street as a workspace to complete the project. And after witnessing the cooperative effort, Morin leased his building to The Arts Center for $1/year and promised it as a posthumous gift - a promise his family kept, gifting the building in 2009.

GATEWAYS TO ORANGE
MURAL PROJECT

Three murals will be created by three artists during the summer of 2022, with the support of community volunteers, local youth, and Arts Center staff.

LOCATIONS

At each location, proposed designs can cover the whole wall OR portions of the wall. Full coverage is not a requirement.

LOCATION 1
THE ARTS CENTER IN ORANGE (map)
WALL SIZE: 46 ft x 24 ft (approx)

Local arts nonprofit supporting our community by providing access to the arts.

LOCATION 2
ATLANTIC UNION BANK/TAYLOR PARK (map)
WALL SIZE: 36 ft x 12 ft (approx)

This wall faces onto Taylor Park, a public park that is used widely by our community

LOCATION 3
333 N. MADISON RD (map)
WALL SIZE: 60 ft x 24 ft (approx)

This location is in the industrial area of town, where many new businesses and restaurants are opening.

ARTIST FEES AND LODGING

The Arts Center in Orange will provide each selected artist with an artist fee of $2,000, as well as lodging for the duration of the mural application process.

Each artist will also receive a supply budget of $1,500 to complete their mural. Ladders, scaffolding, and other equipment will be provided by The Arts Center in Orange and should not be included in the supply budget as costs. If specific equipment is required, please include that information on the Proposal Submission Form in the Project Description section.

Each artist will be required to participate in the Artist Meet-and-Greet event and Artwork Dedication Ceremony for their mural. Transportation is the responsibility of the artist.

Artists will stay at the Patent House at Fleetwood Cottage. This rustic cottage was an original 18th-century patent house (required for a land patent in Virginia) with 1 bedroom, bath and living room. It has been rebuilt, restored, and furnished with antiques. The downstairs living room has a large fireplace, and the upstairs is a cozy bedroom. The downstairs bathroom is modern and has all amenities. Artists will love the privacy, landscaping, and visiting with the sheep. The Patent House is located just outside of the Town of Orange, and within 5 minutes’ drive of The Arts Center in Orange. Amenties include wi-fi and access to a private pool.

 

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

Any artist interested in creating a mural fulfilling the guidelines provided below. The artist must meet all the requirements of the Application Submittal Procedure and the Artist Selection Process.

  • Artist applications will be evaluated according to the following:
    • The appropriateness of design and proposed materials
    • Submitted project budget
    • Demonstration of experience and expertise
    • Responsiveness to inquiries and suggestions
    • Willingness to adjust design slightly based on community feedback at Artist Meet-and-Greet event

  • • A completed and signed Proposal Submission Form with the following information:

     - Project Description and supporting materials

     - Brief description of related experience

     - Artwork Maintenance Plan

     - Supply budget

    • A colored rendering of the proposed design for the artwork must be in JPG or PDF format. Slides will not be accepted.

    • Samples of colors where applicable

    • Any other visual materials you wish to illustrate your proposed work and your abilities as an artist. Please include no more than two (2).

    • A resume

    • A portfolio to include 5 digital images of your work; must be in JPG or PDF format. Slides will not be accepted.

PROJECT TIMELINE

A Selection Committee will be formed which shall include local artists and community members. This committee will meet to consider all completed proposals submitted and make a recommendation to The Arts Center in Orange.

Each mural will be completed within roughly 4 weeks and will begin with an artist meet-and-greet/community event. During this event, community members will be invited to submit constructive comments on the design, and the artist will be expected to consider these comments and adjust their design to incorporate what they learn about the community during these events. The final design should not be a full departure from the proposed design, remaining in the same spirit as the artist’s original design while also incorporating their initial experience of the community.

Upon completion, there will be another community gathering and artwork dedication. All events will take place outdoors and adhere to the current CDC guidelines for COVID-19 at the time, including but not limited to the wearing of face masks and appropriate social distancing.

+ Click here to view full project timeline April 1, 2022 Deadline to Submit Proposals
April 8, 2022 The Selection Committee reviews applications; three (3) finalists will be selected.
April 11, 2022 | All artists will be notified of the selection outcome
April/May | The Arts Center in Orange and each Artist will enter into contract to complete murals
MURAL 1
May 28, 2022 | Artist Meet-and-Greet
June 2022 | Application and mural completion
June 25, 2022 | Artwork Dedication and Community Event
MURAL 2
July 2. 2022 | Artist Meet-and-Greet
July 2022 | Application and mural completion
July 30, 2022 | Artwork Dedication and Community Event
MURAL 3
August 6, 2022 | Artist Meet-and-Greet
August 2022 |Application and mural completion
September 3, 2022 | Artwork Dedication and Community Event

The Arts Center in Orange reserves the right to make changes to the above timeline.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Any incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Proposals can be submitted in the following methods:

  1. RECOMMENDED: Submit the online form on this page, and email supporting materials to gatewaymurals@artscenterinorange.com

  2. Download form, fill in, and email to gatewaymurals@artscenterinorange.com

  3. Mail to:

    The Arts Center in Orange
    PO Box 13
    Orange, VA 22960

Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2022.  Mailed proposals must also be received by this deadline.  All questions regarding this proposal should be directed to:

The Arts Center in Orange
C/O Anna Pillow
PO Box 13
Orange, VA 22960 

Email: gatewaymurals@artscenterinorange.com

 

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND EXAMPLES

  • This is a sample only -- Some of the elements suggested herein may not apply to this project:

    Regular and Periodic Maintenance Plan for Public Mural

    Title: ______________
    Medium: ______________
    Location: ______________
    Size: ______________
    Painting of image was completed on (date) using (material). Please give a complete description of paint by brand, type of paint, etcetera.

    Two (however many) applications of an Anti-Graffiti anti-ultraviolet coating were applied according to manufacturer's instructions on (date). Insert brand, product numbers and make up of coating.

    The border of artwork was painted with Golden number six gray acrylic polymer paint. Please give a complete description of paint by brand, type of paint, the exact manufacturer’s color name, etc.


    Recommended Maintenance
    (Some may not apply)

    Periodic inspections, at least once a year, should be made to the surface of art piece for cracks caused by changes in the substrate below. Repairs should be made so that moisture cannot get under surface and cause blistering due to high temperatures on the surface.  Any repairs to the painted surface must be re-coated according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as recommended above with the recommended anti-ultraviolet coating.  A new anti-graffiti anti-ultraviolet coating of a minimum of xxx coats should be applied once every xxx years according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

    The art piece should be cleaned and thoroughly dry before any application of the recommended protective coating.  If it is desirable to clean the surface of the mural, it is recommended washing with cool water (under 90 degrees Fahrenheit) and dishwashing liquid that does not contain chlorine.  A mild solution of Tri-sodium Phosphate and water (diluted to the recommendations of the manufacturer) may also be used to clean the surface of the mural. It must be rinsed thoroughly using this method. The use of any cleaning products that contain bleaches or oils is not recommended.

    Signature of Artist: ______________

 

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

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