Call for Artists!

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Living Classrooms Foundation of the National Capital Region (Living Classrooms) seeks a muralist to create conservation-themed murals for five cement bridge panels along the Benning Road Ethel Kennedy Bridge near the Benning Road entrance to Kingman and Heritage Islands. Kingman Island is an incredible natural resource and recreation area and was designated a state conservation area by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2018.

The purpose of this project is to beautify access to the Islands by creating an attractive passage, while simultaneously increasing stewardship from the local community. The commissioned murals are planned for the areas of the bridge closest to the Island’s entrance. In addition to the murals, community members will be stenciling wildlife images on panels along the full span of the bridge. Note that the mural sites will be prepped by Living Classrooms staff and volunteers.

Eligibility:

• Visual artists age 18 and older.

• Preference given to District residents, especially of Wards 7 and 8.

What to Submit:

• Five illustrated designs or sketches that incorporate two or more of the themes below. Illustrations may incorporate a simple message to help communicate the selected theme(s). Design must be able to be translated to a 15" by 120" surface.

• Describe your designs in writing making sure to explain how the image represents the selected themes (Word limit: 250 per design)

• Optional, but suggested: three examples of previous outdoor mural work

• Resume that includes name, mailing address, phone number, email, website (if applicable)

• Three letters of references from similar projects

• Brief artist’s statement

• Designs must incorporate two or more of the following themes:

  • Awareness of the Anacostia River and Kingman and Heritage Islands as a state conservation and critical wildlife area

  • Awareness of the negative impact of stormwater runoff on the Anacostia River

  • Environmental stewardship

  • Litter reduction and anti-dumping messaging

  • Advocacy for clean streets and neighborhoods along the Anacostia River

Submission Deadline:

• Send all materials via email by February 14, 2020 to tmartin@livingclassroomsdc.org, with the subject line: Community Stormwater Solutions Murals.

• Submissions will be judged by the jurying committee based on the quality of artistic composition and overall design based on the theme.

Artist Commission:

• $1,250 for five murals at the completion of the project, with all work taking place in spring 2020, completed by end of May 2020.