A team of downtown arts leaders and activists consisting of Lisa Helm (Garden Station), Jerri Stanard (K-12 Gallery) and Carli Dixon (Atta Girl), is spearheading an effort to beautify a section of East Third Street with a new mural project. In much the same way as the Wayne Avenue murals at the underpass next to Garden Station, this new set of murals at Third and Webster will be selected from submissions by local artists, and a stipend will be awarded to each winning artist. The project will be partially funded by a Neighborhood Mini Grant from the City of Dayton.
Due to the close proximity of the 2nd Street Market, a vegetable and fruit theme has been adopted for the murals. The theme may include, but is not limited to, large scale, colorful fruits and vegetables (local to the area preferred), and related items. Abstract and non-conventional interpretations of produce are also welcomed.
“If some of the images were inspired by famous artists that would be an amazing transition from the HAALO project, (on 3rd Street just west of the proposed murals) completed by 30 teens from the Montgomery County Juvenile Court program, and would allow the walk-by patrons to learn about art history in a fun and memorable way” says team member Jerri Stanard of K-12 Gallery. Some ideas for submission of artwork for the underpass at Third and Webster could include: Keith Haring “Carrots”, Giuseppe Arcimboldo “Vegetable Faces”, Edward Hoppers “Ears of Corn”, Mary Cassatt’s “Cucumbers”, Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Okra” or “Green Beans”, and Tripoli’s “Tomatoes”.
The spaces available for painting will include the areas on the retaining wall on the southeast side of the intersection as well as sections under the overpass. Spaces on the retaining wall are approximately 13’ x13’ and the underpass spaces are 8’x 8’ squares (see attached pictures, these can be used as a submission template by printing or tracing dimensions).
A committee comprised of artists, area business owners and city representatives will select the winning designs. Designs will be judged based on originality, appropriateness for the space and design quality.
Each artist whose mural design is selected will receive $125 upon completion of each mural. Sixteen gallons of
The 2009 mural project
exterior paint will be available to all of the artists to share. The colors will include red, orange, yellow, light and dark green, sky blue, lilac, and purple. Also, a $75 supply stipend per mural will be given to each artist to individualize his/her palette.
Multiple submissions are encouraged. Submissions may be submitted in any format or size, as long as the proposed design is clearly illustrated. Artists also are encouraged to submit a resume or letter outlining their qualifications to complete this type of project.
Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 1. Winners will be announced at Urban Nights on September 14 at an event in Garden Station.
Submissions can be e-mailed or mailed to:
Downtown Mural Project c/o Carli Dixon, 811 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402
Winning artists will have until Friday, November 2, to finish their work. The murals will be unveiled that evening at First Friday festivities. “The City of Dayton grant to create more murals along East Third Streets puts us that much closer to competing with Philadelphia’s public art and becoming the destination where tourists will stay an extra day to experience all the incredible amenities we have in Dayton Ohio”, says Stanard.
Additional donations are also being accepted to help fund the project through indigogo. “The Neighborhood Mini Grant from the city will cover the cost of about 13 murals and requires a 50% match”, says Lisa Helm. “While we will more than meet our match requirements with the value of all the volunteer hours, we need the money for paint and artist stipends. There are 37 spaces in the intersection available to paint, it would be nice to fill them all, if not with full murals at least with bright colored spaces between some of the murals “
Clean up days are scheduled for the morning of August 25 and 26. Volunteers will be needed to clear brush, weeds, trash and to prime the spaces. Updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/GardenStation
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or 937-610-3845.
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