Call Description

Amaryllis Park Place Mural Project – “Where Home Takes Root”

The City of Sarasota Public Art Program, in partnership with the Sarasota Housing Authority, seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to design and install an exterior mural at Amaryllis Park Place (2012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34234), an affordable senior housing development developed and operated by the Sarasota Housing Authority. The mural will be installed on an exterior wall measuring approximately 660 square feet.

The mural theme, "Where Home Takes Root," centers on place, legacy, and community. Artists are encouraged to reflect on the layered history of Newtown, its cultural significance, and its continued evolution as a vibrant community. Interpretations may be abstract, symbolic, or narrative in nature, but should be grounded in respect for the neighborhood and an understanding of the site context. Living figures may not be represented in the final mural concept design.

This opportunity is structured as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Artists are asked to submit examples of past work that demonstrate artistic merit, technical ability, and experience with large-scale or comparable projects. Initial applications will be reviewed by a stakeholder panel that includes representatives of the Sarasota Housing Authority, community and neighborhood stakeholders, arts and cultural leaders, a member of the City of Sarasota Public Art Committee, and City of Sarasota Public Art Program staff.

The total artist budget for this project is up to $25,000, inclusive of all artist-related costs. This budget must cover all aspects of the artist’s scope of work, including design, materials, fabrication, surface preparation, installation of mural, protective coatings, insurance, travel, and any other project-related expenses.

While artists may include an optional initial concept idea, final designs will be developed by selected finalists after the initial review phase. Finalists will receive a $500 stipend to develop full-color concept proposals and will have the opportunity to meet with stakeholders to receive input related to the site, building context, and community considerations. Final designs will be presented for community feedback prior to final artist selection and approval at a public meeting.

As part of the application, artists will be asked to submit a brief personal narrative describing their interest in the project and what this opportunity means to them. This narrative should be written authentically and reflect the artist’s own voice.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit all materials through CaFÉ (callforentry.org). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Required materials include:

• Artist statement describing the applicant’s overall artistic practice
• Personal narrative describing the applicant’s interest in this specific project
• Resume or CV (maximum 3 pages)
• Work samples: 5–20 images of completed artworks, including at least one example of large-scale or comparable work, if available.

Optional:

• One initial concept idea or reference image (not required and not evaluated as a final design)

Eligibility Criteria

This Call for Artists is open to:

• Artists residing within 100 miles of the City of Sarasota
• Formerly local Sarasota artists who no longer reside in the area but demonstrate a strong and meaningful connection to Sarasota
• Individual artists or artist teams
• Professional artists with demonstrated experience completing comparable projects