Call for Muralists: Wadsworth Sculpture Walk
Call for Muralists
Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District
KEY INFORMATION
· Submission of Qualifications Deadline: Sunday April 27, 2025 at midnight
· Finalist Notification: May 10, 2025 (approximate)
· Finalist Design Deadline: Two weeks following finalist notification (exact date will be provided during notification process)
· Mural Completion Date: On or around June 15, 2025
· Finalist Design Stipend: $250
· Artist Stipend: $13,750
Note: Please review the mural process and dates before submitting to this project. If you cannot meet the above timeline regarding this mural project, please do not apply.
CREATIVE BRIEF
We seek a muralist to paint a large-scale mural on-site at the Lakewood Wadsworth Sculpture Walk, located at Wadsworth Blvd. and Colfax Avenue. This intersection is incredibly important to the Lakewood-West Colfax corridor, acting as a key thoroughfare for car traffic and linking the corridor to local business, housing developments, and the Wadsworth Light Rail station. The Sculpture Walk, and mural, should be seen as a gateway to the corridor, welcoming visitors and embodying the spirit and vision for this area, one of arts, creativity, robust local business, community, and connection. Artists are encouraged to approach this vision in any way they choose. Varied styles, mediums and concepts are welcomed. Artists should take into account that the Sculpture Garden is a community and City asset. Please stick to themes that would be appropriate for a range of audiences and no political or provocative mural themes will be considered.
Beyond these constraints, artists are truly invited to approach these murals using bold styles, colors, concepts and patterns. Some theme ideas include (but are not limited to) geometric shapes, abstract patterns, floral patterns, nature, Colorado, community, etc. This mural is intended to be bold, colorful, and easily viewed via passing car and foot traffic. We are truly open to a creative and unique artist approach. If you are selected as a finalist, you may submit more than one design concept for review.
MURAL REQUIREMENTS
Mural artists will be responsible for the design, fabrication, delivery and installation of the artwork within the given budget including using appropriate paints for the surface and an appropriate outdoor sealant. Artist is responsible for all paint, supplies and other costs associated with this mural. For this project, artist will be paid a $13,750 stipend. Artist will assume all responsibility for insurance, logistics and site management. 40 West Arts and the Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District will prep the mural site beforehand including power washing the surface. The Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District will be responsible for maintaining the mural. The lifespan of this mural project before renovations or touch-ups is expected to be 8-10 years. Please use high-quality paints and sealant.
MURAL LOCATIONS AND DIMENSIONS
The mural will be located on the East-facing wall of the Wadsworth Sculpture Garden (see images below). The mural is approximately 800 square feet total.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
The timeline for this process is listed in detail below. Please only submit to this project if you can meet the requirements.
1. Submission of Qualifications Deadline: Sunday April 27, 2025 at midnight.
a. Interested applicants will submit, via email in a SINGLE PDF the following information 1) Artist resume with mural projects specifically 2) Links to social media accounts with artist work 3) Images of mural projects 4) Images of other works that are representative of you as an artist. Please note that we will select artists based on the visuals and resume you provide. Include as much information as you think will help us to choose you for this project.
b. PLEASE NOTE: If you do not submit your packet as a SINGLE PDF, we reserve the right to eliminate your submission from our review process. The time and logistics for our tiny team in packaging separate files into one is significant. Again, please compile your files into a SINGLE PDF.
2. Finalist Notification Deadline: May 10, 2025 (approximate)
a. We will notify all artists regarding this project on or around the deadline. If you are selected as a finalist, you will then have additional time to complete one or more design concepts for this project. Finalists will be provided a $250 stipend for their time and efforts. Please, to the best of your ability, give us your design concept(s) in its completed form, meaning scale, color palettes, design outlay, and any other details that would help us to understand your concept. Artists may submit more than one design concept.
3. Final Artist Notification Deadline: Week of May 27 (approximate)
a. We will work to notify the selected artist (and all finalists) as soon as possible following the submission deadline. Please note, the chosen artist may be required to make some edits or alterations to their design before painting.
4. Completed Project Deadline
a. On or around June 15, 2025.
PARTNERS
Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District: The Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District (BID) is a Colorado special district along Lakewood’s historic West Colfax corridor. The BID advocates for economic development and capital investment in the district and provides supporting operational infrastructure and a predictable funding for not only 40 West Arts and the West Colfax Community Association (WCCA), but also local nonprofits aligned with its mission.
40 West Arts: 40 West Arts is a state-certified Creative District located along historic West Colfax Avenue and with the mission of highlighting and supporting art, creativity and economic development in the corridor through events, exhibitions, experiences and more.
ELIGIBILITY
All artists are eligible. You must be able to make all deadlines listed above and be available to paint during the scheduled painting day.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit entries to submissions@40WestArts.org. Please adhere to the following guidelines. We retain the right to reject submissions if they do not follow this format.
· Submit your packet, via email to the following address: submissions@40WestArts.org
· Your email subject heading must read ‘Submission: Sculpture Garden Mural_First Name, Last Name
· Resume
· Contact Information
· Social Media Links
· Images of Murals and Ground Murals
· Images of Representative Work
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Artist Requirements: Artist is responsible for all paint, supplies and other costs associated with this mural. Artist will assume all responsibility for insurance, logistics and site management.
Questions? Email: info@40westarts.org | Learn more at www.40WestArts.org
ADDITIONAL MURAL IMAGES
