The Milpitas Arts Commission is looking for artists to create a wide variety of murals around the city, and is asking residents for input as to where these murals should be located.
The mural program is expected to produce four murals per year, with at least one of those being painted by a Milpitas resident.
Murals could range in size from very small projects on utility boxes to very large projects coordinated with other public agencies. They could be on city-owned property or in partnership with private property owners. Sites nominated by residents will be evaluated by the arts commission and recommended for city council approval.
Artists are invited to submit their mural proposals for review by the arts commission in September. The commission’s goal is to develop a portfolio of artists of diverse cultural backgrounds, artistic styles and experience levels to provide potential artists for projects of all sizes and budget levels. Artists interested in the Main Street industries and occupations mural and Holiday Magic on Main Street temporary mural project are encouraged to submit early.
Artists who qualify will remain on the commission’s list through June 30, 2023, and may be considered for any mural project initiated prior to that date. Muralists invited to submit a design idea for a specific mural receive a stipend.
Design ideas can include Milpitas’ history. Built on Muwekma Ohlone land, the city was an agricultural community before the 1950s, when a Ford assembly plant opened on what is now the site of the Great Mall, bringing with it the first planned racially integrated housing development in the country.
Now home to advanced manufacturing and technology corporations, Milpitas is in the process of revitalizing its Main Street district and developing the Milpitas Metro district, a neighborhood of modern, high-density housing and retail within walking distance of a transit hub that includes a new BART station.
For more information on participating in the mural program, contact Tegan McLane at 408-586-3212 or tmclane@ci.milpitas.ca.gov.
Source: www.mercurynews.com