The Brighton Cultural Arts Commission is requesting proposals from professional artists to design and install a mural in Founder’s Plaza located in Brighton on Bridge Street between 1st Avenue and Main Street.  The plaza has a large wall on the south side of the plaza, on the Wells Fargo Bank.

The City of Brighton has constructed a downtown plaza named “Founder’s Plaza”. The location of the plaza is in the center of the city where the two founders of Brighton, Daniel Carmichael and Dewy Strong, began the development of the City of Brighton. The theme of the mural is the history of Brighton through the years.  Daniel Carmichael developed the area south of Bridge that included the construction of an opera house.  The opera house was constructed on the site for Founder’s Plaza; it burned down in the late 1800’s.  Dewey Strong developed the area north of Bridge Street.

The city has completed the construction of the plaza which includes bench seating, walkways, landscaping, decorative lighting, a performance area, and lighted monument sign. The vision for the plaza as a gathering space in Historic Downtown Brighton has already attracted the community as a home for the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The next phase of the project is to have an iconic mural placed on the south side of the plaza. The mural will be placed on the north wall of the Wells Fargo Bank Building. The wall is 750 square feet in size. This will provide a space for an iconic mural visible from Bridge Street and will be a focal point for the downtown.

The mural can be 50’ wide X 15’ high.  The wall is larger than this area.  The mural can bleed into the areas beyond the initial size.  The commission is looking at a proposal that will depict the history of Brighton in a unique way.  The history should show the past as well as the current.  Brighton began as a railroad town and developed into a farming community.  One of the main industries was a Kuner vegetable processing and packaging factory.  Brighton continues to be a vegetable farming area.  The current history of Brighton is a renewable energy corridor with wind energy manufacturing and a newly acquired lithium battery manufacturer.

Application Requirements

The initial submission is due by midnight April 14, 2023.  The initial submission will include qualifications including prior murals completed and costs for the murals.  There should be a concept for the founders Plaza mural included.

We are expecting persons interested in the Founders plaza mural to submit examples of their work.  The concept request can be in the form of a letter explaining their understanding of our project. Send letters to: dgallegos@brightonco.gov We do not expect any mock up or drawings.  This will come at the time of interviews and there will be a stipend for this work.

The Brighton Cultural Arts Commission will appoint a committee to review the submittals.  The committee will select 5 to 7 proposals to further consideration.

The selected artist will be invited to an interview.  The interview will include a presentation of a detailed mock-up of the suggested mural.  The presentation shall include materials to be used and a cost for the mural.  The interview will be scheduled for the week of May 22, 2023.

The mural must be completed by December 31, 2023.

Eligibility Criteria

completed application