The Village of Spring Lake is looking to bring art to life in our community along our Lakeside Trail, a linear park that serves as a multi-user trail connecting Spring Lake with our neighboring communities. With the help of local property owners and artists we plan to install murals on unexpected, yet obvious canvases—the backs of two of our Village businesses! We would like the painting to begin in spring 2019.

The Art in the Park Project not only aims to beautify our public spaces, and introduce art to a community that as yet has none, but to capitalize on the value of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Studies indicate that murals would add a level of “natural surveillance” to the trail, the pocket playground that faces it, and the community at large. By adding people and eyes to the design, whether impressionistically or realistically, safety levels have been shown to improve at an even greater rate by creating the illusion that the area is being watched.

We consider these particular locations ideal sites to initiate an introduction of art as well as provide neighborhood connectivity and beautification as they have the potential to be shared with so many residents and visitors. The trail also provides for a natural progression of this concept along the backs other business that face it, as well as plentiful areas where we would like to pursue alternate mediums, such as sculpture in the near future.

Project Description

The Village of Spring Lake is looking for creative, vibrant and engaging design proposals for two outdoor murals to be painted along Lakeside Trail, our linear park. Artists are welcome to submit a proposal for one or both locations but only one commission will be awarded to any given artist and the decision will be made for the entrant. Artists may also enter proposals either on their own or as a group. It is highly recommended that artists visit the locations before submitting their design proposals.

Compensation

The chosen artists will be commissioned to paint their mural for an established price of $10/sq. foot. The Village of Spring Lake will then provide the artists with a stipend for the most sustainable materials and equipment available. Each stipend will be calculated at .93/sq.ft. reflecting best practice standards known for mural painting in our geographic area. The total budget for each commission will be dependent on the size and scope of each project. The cost of materials and equipment that goes beyond the agreed upon stipend will be the responsibility of the artist.

Artwork Location Description

(See Visual Support Materials below for wall diagrams)

» Location A: Cruise and Travel Experts, 301 W. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI

This canvas is very large, 20’x70’plus 15’x15.2′ and very textured. The back of this building is built from a chiseled-look, stone veneer block. Commission Budget: $16,280

Materials Stipend: $1,514.04

» Location B: Plantengas Cleaners, 217 W. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI

This canvas is mid-sized, 10.3’x72.2’ and a standard, flat cinder block wall. Commission Budget: $7,437

Materials Stipend: $691.30

Selection Process

All eligible applications will be evaluated by three groups: the Selection Committee including business owners, the Village of Spring Lake Community, and the Village Council. All will consider each artist’s design proposal and approach to the project. Mural content should not contain political or religious themes and should not include business names or logos that would represent advertising. All artists or artist teams from the Tri-Cities area are encouraged to apply. Artists from outside areas will be considered but the preference is that the artists be local. If artists are applying as a team, the team should be listed on the application form, specifying a team leader to receive notifications.

Selection Criteria

Artists will be selected based on the following:

•  » Aesthetic Excellence – the aesthetic quality of the artwork upholds the principles of art and design excellence, originality, and innovation
•  » Artist Experience in creating public art of similar scope and scale
•  » Relevance/Theme – Design must be appropriate for the site and contextually clear and legible when enlarged to the final scale dimensions of the site location as well as translatable to the final media.

Notifications of Selection will be sent via email on Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Project Time Line

1. Deadline to Submit Application: Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:59 pm
2. Notifications sent to Artists: Wednesday, June 12, 2019
3. Anticipated Execution of Minor Design Revisions and Review: Friday, June 14, 2019
4. Time Line for Selected Artist(s) to Start and Execute Project: Monday, June 17, 2019
   through Friday, Oct. 11, 2019
5. Special Events hosted by Art in the Park:
   1. Artist introductions: TBD
   2. Lakeside Trail Art Walk & Unveiling Event: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019
   3. More may be forthcoming

Application Requirements

All artists must fill out the online application form before the deadline on May 24, 2019 to be considered.

Call to Artist deadline to apply: Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:59 pm

Additional Information: For questions about the Art in the Park project and application process please contact Angela Stanford-Butler, Village of Spring Lake DDA Director: angela@springlakevillage.org

Visual Support Materials

Images and Diagrams of the wall dimensions for each mural location. Click on images to enlarge.