Newton, NC - The Newton Public Art Commission invites artists to submit qualifications for a significant public art installation recognizing the often-overlooked men, women, and children who labored in North Newton’s early industrial mills, weaving the fabrics that made Catawba County a textile manufacturing powerhouse by the beginning of the 20th century.

The installation is envisioned as an outdoor mural that celebrates the thread of diversity that continues to hold together a vibrant community. The selected mural should ensure that all of Newton’s citizens are able to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the public art around them. The mural will create a new sense of place at one of North Newton’s gateway entrances, foster community pride, and support economic development.

Artists may submit qualifications and portfolio samples of previous work at www.newtonart.org/textilemural through Sept. 15. The Public Art Commission looks forward to working with an artist or artist team to bring this mural to life. For more information about the project or for assistance with your submission, please contact Alex Frick at 828-409-7408 or [email protected].

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

This is a request for artist qualifications demonstrating artistic standing and the capacity to work on this public art project in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this call for artists and in a manner that furthers the Public Art Commission’s mission to enliven public spaces, promote community identity and sense of place, and contribute to a vibrant and engaging city. Artists interested in a commission are asked to submit information about their training, portfolio samples of previous work, and other forms of evidence of their ability to create public artwork.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

 - Location: Near the intersection of North Main Avenue and 11th Street, Newton, NC. The blocks surrounding the installation include working and vacant industrial mills, historic neighborhoods, and the Southeastern Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum at the Newton Depot.

 - Mural wall dimensions: 91 feet long by 32 feet high.

 - Estimated budget: $25,000 (inclusive of artist fees, equipment rentals, wall preparation, and materials).

 - Proposed completion date: March 2024.

 - Please visit www.newtonart.org/textilemural for more information on the mural concept and location.
 
PROJECT OBJECTIVES

 - To tell untold stories of diverse men, women, and children whose labor was pivotal to the success of the textile manufacturing industry in Newton.

 - To foster community pride by showcasing the rich cultural diversity of Newton's early industrial workforce.

 - To contribute to the economic development of North Newton and beyond with an iconic piece of public art that attracts visitors and investment.

 - To represent and celebrate community through a significant piece of public art that reflects the lives and experiences of Newton’s citizens.
 
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to all professional artists or artist teams with prior experience in creating large-scale murals or public art installations. Artists from all backgrounds, cultures, and artistic styles are encouraged to apply. Local artists are especially encouraged to participate and incorporate their unique insights into the project.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 - Artist submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023.

 - Interested artists must:

    - Complete and submit the Artist Submission Form below.

    - Upload their Qualifications/Portfolio as a PDF document toward the end of the Artist Submission Form below. The uploaded Qualifications/Portfolio should include any relevant information about training, high-resolution samples of previous work from their portfolio, and any other evidence of ability to create public art. If possible, please include samples of previous work that could be relevant to the topic of this mural and that represent the style of artwork you would like to execute for this project.

 - For assistance with your submission, please contact Alex Frick at 828-409-7408 or [email protected].
 
SELECTION PROCESS

 - The Public Art Commission will select the mural design as follows:

    - Commission members will review all artist submissions.

    - First Round Selection: Two artists whose submissions best meet the project's objectives as determined by Commission members will be invited to submit original designs for further review. The two invited artists will each be paid a $500 stipend for completed original design work.

    - Final Selection: Commission members will review the original designs submitted by the two invited artists and select the artist whose original design best meets the project’s objectives as determined by Commission members as the final artist.
 
ESTIMATED PROJECT TIMELINE

 - Call for Artists issued:  August 4, 2023.

 - Submission deadline: 11:59 p.m. September 15, 2023.

 - First Round Selection: September 30, 2023.

 - Deadline for First Round Selection invited artists to submit original designs: 11:59 p.m. October 30, 2023.

 - Final Selection: November 15, 2023.

 - Mural creation: January 2024 through March 2024.