CALL FOR MURAL ARTISTS / REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TOWN OF AVON – SEASONS AT AVON BUILDING MURAL PROJECT for 2025

The Town of Avon, Colorado, (“Town”) requests proposals from multiple mural artists or artist teams to create an original mural or murals for the west facing exterior Stucco wall of the Seasons at Avon building located on the corner of W. Benchmark Road and Mikaela Way. This is a project of the Avon Town Council and Cultural, Arts & Special Events (“CASE”) Committee.

Overview: The Seasons at Avon Mural Project (“Seasons Mural”) will help to further establish a creative identity and spirit for the east end of Harry A. Nottingham Park; the crowned jewel of the Town. The community minded Mural will become a significant landmark visually connecting the cultural hubs of the community at the intersection of Avon’s Library, Recreation Center, and Civic Center. This culturally significant eastern gateway to Nottingham Park should inspire community, conversation, and connection.

The enhancement of public places by integrating the creative work of artists improves the pedestrian experience and promotes vibrancy, creativity, and livelihood in the community. The presence of and access to public art enlivens public areas and their grounds and makes them more welcoming. It creates a deeper interaction with the places where we live, work, and visit. Public art illuminates the diversity and history of a community, and points to its aspirations for the future. 

Project Intent: To create a significant landmark, visually connecting Avon’s Library, Recreation Center, Civic Center and the eastern gateway to Nottingham Park which inspires community, conversation, connection; and further identifies Avon as an art community.  The mural will use a bright and cheerful color palette to evoke joy and positivity. Characters and scenes will be depicted in a whimsical, illustrative style to engage viewers of all ages. The selected artist is responsible for working with Town representatives in all aspects to include multiple iterations of design.

Design & Theme: The CASE Committee is seeking a design that will be a vibrant celebration of our community's rich tapestry, weaving together elements of history, education, discovery, and our unique mountain lifestyle. The Seasons Mural will be a visual narrative that honors our ranching and farming heritage, embraces the dynamic influences of Latino culture, and highlights the natural beauty and learning opportunities within our environment. 

The theme could (1) depict scenes of ranch life, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our historical farming community with images of traditional farming tools, livestock, and fields of crops, symbolizing our agricultural roots. Pay homage to historical sites such as the Metcalf Cabin, Nottingham Ranch, the waterwheel and Lettuce Sheds, preserving the stories of our past. (2) Integrate colorful patterns and motifs inspired by Latino traditions, such as vibrant textiles, festive dances, and culinary delights. Highlight the importance of language and education within the Latino community, with symbols of books and learning. (3) Showcase the beauty of the area’s natural resources in the Eagle River, native wildlife and/or plant/floral life.  (4) The learning opportunities in our natural ecosystems and/or built environments (Walking Mountains Science Center, Avon Library, Avon Elementary School, Eagle River and Climate Action Initiatives).

The design should not be landscape of mountain scenery nor demonstratively urban.

The Seasons Mural will be a dynamic and engaging mural that not only delights viewers but also educates and inspires them. By celebrating our past, present, and future, this mural will become a cherished landmark that embodies the spirit of our community.

Project Budget: Selected artist shall be paid up to a Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars ($22,000.00) stipend. The project budget is all-inclusive and must include up to three (3) curated design concepts, design fees, commercial liability insurance, all costs, and materials for installation, including transportation, lodging and meals.    

The Town will clean the site prior to installation. The Town shall provide a boom lift and/or scissors lift for no more than 30 consecutive days. Any additional days required by artists must be communicated in the artist proposal submission.

Site Description: West facing exterior Stucco wall of the Seasons at Avon building located on W. Benchmark Road and Mikaela Way. The site is highly visible (Library, Recreation Center and park users, pedestrians, cyclists, surrounding businesses and homes) and has unique characteristics. Directly across the street (Mikaela Way) from the Season Mural location, is the Avon Library and the Enjoy Life! | Disfrute la Vida mural installed in 2021.  Additionally, nearby spaces include Avon Town Hall, Art Guild at Avon and a main pedestrian thoroughfare, the Main Street Mall, to name a few.

The parking stalls on Mikaela Way and adjacent to the wall, will be in use throughout the project for Avon Library patrons.  If needed the Town can intermittently block a portion of the total parking stalls for easier access to the wall during the installation period. The Town will provide and install barricade fencing to separate the artists’ work area from the sidewalk and/or parking stalls as needed. At the base of the Stucco wall, is a concrete wall running the length of the Stucco wall with adjacent trees, shrubbery and large landscaping rock.  The concrete wall varies in exposure above the landscaping/ground and represents approximately 140 ft2. Utilities infrastructure, meters and vents can be found on the north end of the concrete wall and should be considered in the artist design. Additionally, there are two (2) roof drainage “spouts” near the roof line which will need to be protected from paint.  Also, the wall has four (4) windows of equal size, that are arranged in 2 (two) separate clusters with 2 (two) windows per cluster. The windows should be protected and remain paint-free.  Each set of two windows is approximately 4’ Tall X 7’ Wide. See Attachment A.

• Approx. Wall Measurements: 30' Tall x 70’ Wide | Sq. Footage = 2,100 ft²
• Approx. Concrete Wall Measurements: 2' Tall x 70’ Wide | Sq. Footage = 140 ft²
• Approximate Total Combined Sq. Ft. = 2,240 ft²

 Eligibility:

1. The Request for Proposals is open to all artists and artist teams residing and working in Colorado.
2. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have all necessary documentation and permits to work in the United States at the time of submittal.
3. Applicants must be able to complete work before July 31, 2025.
4. Applicants must provide a statement regarding any conflicts of interest and listing of any litigation involving the artist in the past five (5) years and lawsuit dismissal and/or termination outcomes.

Criteria for Art:

1. Quality – The consideration of highest priority is the inherent artistic excellence of the mural artwork as well as representing a diverse range of appeal within the community.
2. Timelessness – Mural will be viewed as a long-term acquisition that should have aesthetic relevance to the community in future years and reflect enduring artistic quality.
3. Site Compatibility & Appropriateness – Mural must be appropriate in scale, material form and content for both the immediate and general, social, and physical environment in which the Mural(s) will be placed.
4. Elements of Design – The consideration that the Mural will serve to establish a significant focal point, define spaces, inspire community, conversation, and connections, establish creative identity, and create a gateway, among other things.
5. Permanence & Safety – Consideration will be given to permanence, protection against vandalism, weathering and excessive maintenance and repair costs.

 Artist Criteria:

1. Cooperation – Ability of the Mural artist(s) to work closely and cooperatively with the property owner, CASE Committee, and Town staff.
2. Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge and experience of public mural art.
3. Presentation – Ability of the Mural artist(s) to clearly describe concepts verbally and through quality written materials.
4. Technical Feasibility - Ability of the Mural artist(s) to carry out the concepts described in the proposed Mural(s).
5. Timelines - Ability of the Mural artist(s) to deliver the mural art according to the agreed schedule.
6. Aesthetic Standard - CASE shall have the right to withhold recommendation to Town Council of a Mural(s) until it clearly meets standards of artistic achievement agreed upon by most of the CASE members and property owner representatives.

Application shall include:

1. Artist and/or Artist Team Contact: Upload complete and accurate contact information.
2. Project Statement Project statement describing your approach and intention for the Mural.
3. Portfolio of Past Work: Artists must submit digital images from their portfolio which visually represent and relay an extensive body of work and experience.
   1. Include 5 to 10 digital images from your portfolio of past work representing no less than three relevant mural projects.
4. References: Three (3) relevant mural project references to include the following for each project:

• Main contact.
• Scope and description of project.
• Project budget.
• Project timeline.
• Project location.
• Minimum of one (1) digital images and maximum of two (2) digital images for each referenced project.

All selected artists must execute a copy of the Independent Contractor Agreement (“ICA”) – See Attachment B.

Anticipated Timeline:

• Artist Call for entry: February 14, 2025.
• Deadline for entry: March 31, 2025.
• Artist selection notification: April 24, 2025.
• Design concepts review: April 28 through May 12, 2025.
• Design concept complete: May 28, 2025.
• Installation of work: June 16 through July 31, 2025.
• Completion of work: July 31, 2025.

Application Requirements

Application & Process:  The Town uses the web-based service, Callforentry.org, also known as CaFE, to manage artist applications and selection processes for the Avon Elementary School Mural Project. Application shall include:

1. Artist and/or Artist Team Contact: Upload complete and accurate contact information.
2. Proposal:
   • Include 1 to 5 images of your proposed Mural(s) design (sketches, digital design, mock-up).
   • Project statement describing your approach and intention for the Mural(s).
3. References & Past Work: Three (3) relevant mural project references to include the following for each project:

• Main contact.
• Scope and description of project.
• Project budget.
• Project timeline.
• Project location.
• Minimum of three (3) digital images and maximum of eight (8) digital images.

4. All selected artists must be willing to execute a copy of the Independent Contractor Agreement (“ICA”) – See Attachment B.

The Town is not responsible for any expense for the preparation or submittal of the Request for Proposals.  The Town has no obligation to select or use the services of any consultant submitting a Request for Proposals.  The Town retains all rights to solicit and enter into agreements with consultants for services or projects deemed necessary by the Town.  Any questions may be directed to Danita Dempsey at ddempsey@avon.org, (970) 748-4065

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

1. The Request for Proposals is open to all artists and artist teams residing and working in Colorado.
2. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have all necessary documentation and permits to work in the United States at the time of submittal.
3. Applicants must be able to complete work before July 31, 2025.
4. Applicants must provide a statement regarding any conflicts of interest and listing of any litigation involving the artist in the past five (5) years and lawsuit dismissal and/or termination outcomes.