Call for Mural Artists – For The Town of Englee
Deadline to apply: Wednesday, September 20, 2024
Project Description:
The Town of Englee is commissioning a mural project to be installed at our community Playground in the heart of our town. The mural will be created offsite on five 4-ft Dibond sheets that will be installed together to form one large artwork. It will be affixed and bordering the playground.
We want to engage an artist who will create imagery that demonstrates and celebrates the natural beauty and historic stories of our rural fishing community. The Mural could feature a story of our history, our once famous salt fish plant and salmon operation (salmon that was Served to the Queen herself), our many old historic buildings, some that were floated here in relocation times from various surrounding communities and/or our rich fishing heritage, beautiful walking trails, and gorgeous scenery. We are known as one of the closest points to the 1914 sealing disaster. We want to radiate that warm feeling of home that people get when they spend any amount of time here. We want to capture the magic that is rural Newfoundland and show people that there is no place like home!
Location:
The mural will be mounted on the North facing section of our playground fence that is located at the centre of our beautiful town adjacent to a crossroads where all visitors entering town will be passing by. Surrounding our playground are three of our five churches, our Post Office, our boat launch and both of our local stores so basically it is one of the busiest places in our community.
Community Background
Englee is a town on the east side of the Great Northern Peninsula in a sheltered harbour on the northern headland of Canada Bay. In the early 1800s, four families inhabited the area, however, most settlers came between 1870 and 1900. The French were active in fishing operations in the 1860s and 1870s. The first settlers were fishermen, builders and trappers. Like many other outports of the time, each family grew its own vegetables and raised its own sheep and cattle.
In the late 1880s, the first fishing establishment was built and operated by Baxter Crocker, and it was still operating in 1980 as John Reeves Limited. In 1940 Canada Bay Cold Storage Company Limited began a fresh-frozen codfish and fresh salmon operation. The first school was built in 1900 and had an enrolment of 25. In 1978-79 the school had an enrolment of 305.
We still to this day remain a fishing community. We have many fishers that take in the inshore fishery. We are a community that takes pride in our heritage. We have five walking trails, each with unique views.
Learn more about us at: www.facebook.com/TownofEnglee
Compensation:
The selected artist will be paid artist fees of up to $10,000 (including HST if applicable) for all design, creation, and material costs, excluding the Dibond panels. Materials, priming and preparation, and final clear-coating of the Dibond surfaces, (aside from a contribution of $300 worth of paints from the Paint Shop for painted murals), safety equipment, assistant artists, safety training, taxes and insurance, will be included in the artist fees, and need to be outlined in the budget. Additional fees for travel expenses for an artist not living within the community will be provided.
Submission Requirements: Please submit the following by email in a single PDF to: engleeoffice@bellaliant.com
A project description/proposal (max 500 words) and concept sketch of your proposed mural for this space.
A project budget using the template provided that includes artist fees, materials, insurance, assistant artist fees, and any other costs the artist may incur related to this project.
A basic workplan (max 500 words). Please also indicate if you would need to travel from outside the community, and how long you would anticipate being in residence to paint/install.
Up to five images of previous works that can help illustrate the style you have in mind for this project (please indicate the title, date, medium, and dimensions of each work) and a link to your website or social media channel.
CV (artist resume)
Selection Process:
Our Council will be involved in the selection process which will consist of six individuals, including individuals responsible for community programming, infrastructure, and marketing.
Who Can Apply
Preference may be given to artists residing in or connected to NL, and travel expenses will only be provided to artists living in NL but outside of the community
Experienced Artists with 2-3 previous works would be an asset but not required.
Emerging and experienced artists and photo/digital artists are welcome to apply
Experience in and/or an openness to community-engaged visual arts practice is preferred
The artist will be required to work with paints and or printed materials that are weatherproof and will stand up to our seasonal Newfoundland weather
Eligible submissions will be evaluated based on the:
Relevance of the proposed project to the program theme and clarity of ideas
Feasibility and scope of the project plan that demonstrates your capacity to undertake the proposed project
Impact – the potential of the project to contribute to and advance your artistic practice and/or professional development
Budget a reasonable budget that fairly compensates the artist and collaborators and that aligns with the proposed project
Timeline:
Submission deadline: September 20th, 2024
The successful candidate will be contacted by September 27, 2024
Project start date tentatively October 15th, 2024
Mural Completed and shipped to the Town by March 31, 2025
Mural Installation and Public Unveiling June/July 2025
The mural will be completed in the fall/winter months and stored until its installation which will take place between June and July 2025.
FAQS:
Do you accept submissions for painted and digital artworks?
Designs may be considered for a digitally printed work on vinyl or similar substrate or painting by the artist.
Is this opportunity open to artists from outside of the province?
Travel funding is only available for artists travelling from within the province.
Questions?
Please contact:
Samantha Brenton
709-866-2711
engleeoffice@bellaliant.com
This initiative is part of the Our Creative Home project, delivered by Municipalities NL and Business & Arts NL, and supported by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, in celebration of the Year of the Arts.
