Call For Art: United Way Mural

GJ Creates and United Way of Mesa County, are seeking an artist to complete a mural and/or mixed media installation at the 500 Block Breezeway. The project is 8 ft x 36 ft, and will replace the currently damaged United Way mural.

• One artist (or team of artists) will be selected. Award is $7000 (includes artist commission and project supplies)
• Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 31, 2022. This call is closed. 

Project Description:

In 2021 the United Way tile mural started to fall apart. We quickly determined the mural was beyond repair and needed a complete replacement. Working with United Way and New Emerson Elementary School, we engaged a third grade group of students to propose a replacement for this project. Students proposed several replacement ideas to a team of United Way and GJ Creates staff. 

The artist selected for this project will take inspiration from the New Emerson student proposals and the original United Way mural to create a new installation that honors the special contribution United Way has made to the Grand Junction community. The artist will work with the students to finalize a design and incorporate the students into the final installation (samples included below).    

Proposals should be in a contemporary art style and will be evaluated by overall creativity, design, and aesthetic. Acceptable proposals can be painted murals and or mixed media installations using 3D elements. The project must include themes important to United Way’s mission: “fighting for the health, education, and self-reliance of every person in our community.”  Project concepts will be approved by the GJ Creates committee and United Way. Artists will be selected and notified by September 6.

Project Timeline: 

Call for Art: July 28 – August 31
Artists Selected: September 6
Design Phase: September 6 – September 23
Final design approved: September 28 
Art Installation / Painting: October 7–9 during Downtown Art Festival 
Project completion date: October 21

To apply, please include:

Complete and submit your application by Wednesday, August 31. Please include a short description of your project proposal and a link to a portfolio with specific images of public murals you have completed in the proposed style.     

Applications will be reviewed and selected by the Creative District committee and the United Way board. Selected artists will be notified by September 6, and will work with GJ Creates, United Way and New Emerson staff & students to organize and start their project by Downtown Art Festival, October 7–9. Selected artist awards cover the cost of supplies, paint, and artist commission for the project. Artists also need to provide their own liability insurance for the project. 

Project Disclaimer:

GJ Creates reserves the right to accept, award, or reject project applications. Nothing in this program obligates the Creative District to select specific grant applications or any applications at all. 

Applicants and awardees, not the Creative District, shall be solely responsible for determining applicants’ or awardees’ tax status and tax implications of applicants’ receipt of funds as well as any and all required local, state and federal tax reporting and payment.

By submitting, if selected you agree to complete the project in the timeframe provided. For questions contact Dave at the creative district, 970-255-4921.  

Student Art Work Samples