Call Description

About Cape Coral:   

Cape Coral, Florida, is a vibrant city located in Lee County on the southwestern coast of Florida. Known for its extensive canal system, the largest in the world with over 400 miles of navigable waterways. Offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle with a focus on outdoor living, water activities, and community-oriented suburban life, it’s a popular destination for both permanent residents and seasonal visitors who appreciate Florida’s sunshine and waterfront living.

Founded in 1957 by the Rosen brothers, Leonard and Jack Rosen, Cape Coral was envisioned as a planned community focused on waterfront living interconnected by canals. Today, with a population exceeding 190,000, Cape Coral ranks as one of Florida’s largest cities both in population and land area, covering approximately 120 square miles, much of which is made up of waterways.

Location Highlights: 

In addition to being known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” Cape Coral features over 400 miles of canals, making it a paradise for water lovers and one of the most distinctive city layouts in the United States. The city also offers a wealth of natural beauty, with numerous parks and preserves such as Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve and Rotary Park, perfect for hiking, kayaking, wildlife observation, and picnicking. For those who enjoy sports and recreation, Cape Coral boasts several golf courses and sports complexes, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The city enjoys a warm, tropical climate with mild winters and abundant sunshine year-round, making it an ideal destination for outdoor living and tourism.

The South Cape Entertainment District is a vibrant, fast-evolving area that reflects the Community Redevelopment Agency’s mission to transform urban spaces into dynamic commercial centers and livable neighborhoods. Known as the heart of Cape Coral, the district offers an eclectic mix of dining, nightlife, and annual festivals, all set within a walkable, community-oriented environment. Ongoing redevelopment projects such as The Cove, Bimini Square, and the Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina are further enhancing the district’s appeal, drawing both residents and visitors and fueling continued growth in the area.

Project Scope:  

The City of Cape Coral, through both the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Parks & Recreation Department, seeks to commission artists to design artwork for utility box wraps located throughout the city. This includes utility boxes along SE 47th Terrace within the CRA district, as well as utility boxes situated in parks, recreational areas, and other public spaces managed by the Parks & Recreation Department.

The selected artwork should enhance the visual appeal of these everyday structures, contributing to a more vibrant streetscape and enriching public spaces. Artists are encouraged to submit designs that incorporate a variety of colors, styles, and creative concepts that reflect the character, environment, and energy of Cape Coral. This initiative aims to integrate art into daily life, creating engaging visual experiences for both residents and visitors across multiple city environments.

Budget: 

Funding is provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Parks & Recreation Department. Selected artists will receive a $500.00 stipend for each artwork selected. Artists will be required to complete a City of Cape Coral vendor registration in order to receive payment. Payment will be issued after selection of artwork by the review panel and installation of artwork. Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing after vendor registration and installation completion date for notification and payment.

Application Requirements

Selection Process:  

The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Management and Arts Division will review each artist’s statement of intent and images. Upon viewing, the panel will rate each artwork and approve selected artworks to be wrapped on utility boxes located in South Cape and Parks and Recreation locations throughout the city. The CRA and Parks and Recreation reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal or groups of proposals. Artists do not have to present their concepts to the CRA board or Parks and Recreation Department. Only one artwork will be selected per artist. 

Selection Criteria:  

The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Management and Arts Division will review the artwork based on themes proposed in this Call to Artists: originality, artistic excellence, innovation, concept and cultural connection to the community. 

Submission themes include but are not limited to: nightlife atmosphere, Cape Coral culture, native plants, native animals, natural environment, Cape Coral history, abstract artwork and non-representational.  Artwork should not include any copyright imagery including licensed products or movie characters. Artwork must be original.   

Acceptable artwork includes photography, drawing, painting and digital artwork. All artworks must be submitted digitally. All artworks must be in landscape or panoramic format, meaning it is wider than it is high. The selected artworks will be sent to a local company who will alter the design to fit within the parameters of the utility box shape and size. Keep in mind that the boxes have four sides; therefore, consider the image you are submitting and how it would look if each quarter of the artwork were to stand on its own. Is each quarter equally interesting?  

Finalists must submit a high-resolution digital rendering of their design (300 DPI or higher) to city staff within 30 days of selection. The design will be printed on vinyl and professionally installed on a utility box. Artists are not responsible for printing or installation. Failure to submit a high-resolution file by the deadline will result in disqualification.

Submission Requirements:  

Contact information 

Full name, email, phone, mailing address, website. 

Statement of Intent 

Brief statement or concept, this description should include your interest in the project and your artist statement (Maximum 1,000 words). 

Image Requirements for submission through CAFE

Artists are required to submit the foregoing on the CAFÉ site (www.callforentry.org) at no charge. This online application process requires that all images and materials be submitted in digital format. Images must be in .jpg format. For detailed digital image submission requirements, please visit CAFÉ’s Image Prep section.   

File naming conventions

Save your file with your full name, the title of your artwork, the file type and number of the entry. 

Lastname_Firstname_Title_FileType_Entry#.jpg 

Examples

Doe_John_SummerDreams_Art_Entry1.jpg
Doe_John_SummerDreams_Statement_Entry1.jpg
Doe_John_Sunrise_Art_Entry2.jpg

Additional Information 

General questions may be directed to: 

Samantha A. Ellis, Recreation Program Supervisor

Phone: 239-242-3800 

Email: saellis@capecoral.gov

Cape Coral Art Center

Parks and Recreation Department

City of Cape Coral

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be 18 years and older. 

Artists must reside in the state of Florida.

Artists can submit up to three (3) complete pieces of art.

Artworks should be created in a landscape or panoramic format.

Finalists must submit a high-resolution digital rendering of their design (300 DPI or higher is required) PNG recommended jpg accepted via email to city staff within 30 days of selection.