This “Trailblazer” mural on Ventimiglia Italian Foods, along Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights, was made possible through the city’s public art program. The mural was designed by artist Wendy Popko.
By: Eric Czarnik | Sterling Heights Sentry | Published May 22, 2023
STERLING HEIGHTS — The city of Sterling Heights is seeking a broad spectrum of talent to decorate a business’s empty wall.
The city is asking adult artists to share their design ideas and apply for a chance to paint a public art mural.
According to the city, the mural must follow the theme of “inclusivity” as stated in the city’s Visioning 2030 vision statement and guiding principles. The artwork is expected to be painted this summer and completed by late summer or early fall, officials said. Once the artwork is completed, the city will promote the mural and add it to its digital art map.
Sterling Heights Community Relations Director Melanie Davis said the mural will be painted on a wall on the side of the Zap Zone, on Van Dyke Avenue, north of Utica Road. According to the city, the outdoor mural spot is 144 feet wide, 24 feet high and on painted brick.
“The city has been (installing murals) as part of our public art program that is representing different identity standards from our Visioning 2030 process,” she said. “We are a community that is safe, that is progressive, that is innovative and inclusive, so we have been trying to put together murals that represent those identity goals.”
Davis said that in cases of murals hosted on private property, the business owner or the property management company signs a lease agreement with the city for $1 per year for five years. Then the city commissions an artist who installs the public art mural.
The final mural design will be “representative of our community” and a shared vision among the hosting business, the city, the Sterling Heights Arts Commission and the selected artist, Davis said.
Davis described the importance of public art in the city’s strategy of attracting new residents and businesses.
“I would say the lasting impact is community engagement and development, because we know that placemaking, which public art is such a big part of, is a key reason why (people) open up shop or live in communities,” Davis added. “We’re looking forward to continuing to create a community with beautiful things, aesthetically pleasing things and places.”
The Sterling Heights Arts Commission’s Jeanne Schabath-Lewis commented on what she looks forward to with the upcoming mural. She said the different parties will come together to make sure that the final design is “copacetic to Sterling Heights” and the city’s vision statement.
“It is exciting that we got this wall,” Schabath-Lewis said. “We’ve been looking for different walls. We’re just really excited, and we can’t wait to see what kind of commissions we’re going to get. It’s a huge wall. … The possibilities are endless as to what can be put on that.”
Artist submissions will be accepted until 4 p.m. June 2. They must contain a one-page description of the conceptual mural, a visual representation, installation information, a resume, and up to three references.
Learn how to apply by visiting sterling-heights.net/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1395. Email additional questions about how to make a proper submission to cityhall@sterling-heights.net with the subject heading “Mural Submission 2023.”
The submissions themselves may be emailed to the same address or may be sent via postage to City of Sterling Heights, Attn: Community Relations, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. For more information, call (586) 446-2470.
See the city’s digital art map at sterling-heights.net/publicart.