Artists invited to design new mural in Rochester Municipal Park

ROCHESTER — Local artists will have a chance to leave their mark in Rochester Municipal Park this summer.

Through March 29, Rochester’s City Beautiful Commission is inviting artists to submit designs for a four-panel, 4-by-8-foot mural to be hung on the Kiwanis Shelter in the park.

“The City Beautiful Commission is all about making more spaces beautiful and appealing, and we just thought there is a blank canvas there. … Let’s add some fitting art that works with the environment,” said City Beautiful Commission Chair Jeanine Offer Krupp.

Rachel Williams, a member of the City Beautiful Commission, said organizers want as many artist submissions as possible.

“We are mainly targeting professional artists, although everyone is completely welcome to send in their proposal,” she said.

The four panels can each have their respective designs or work together as one cohesive image. All submissions must be submitted via email to cbc@rochester.mi.org by March 29 and must include an artist portfolio highlighting previous mural work and experience; a concept proposal articulating the vision for the mural, emphasizing how it aligns with the theme and enhances the beauty of the Kiwanis shelter; and a budget breakdown detailing how the allocated budget will be utilized.

The eight-member City Beautiful Commission will review all proposals based on “artistic merit, alignment with the theme, and feasibility” to select a few finalists.

“We’re really going to review and see what style resonates best with the community,” Williams explained. “We’re hoping to look at proposals and have a piece that really represents Rochester’s history, as well as its natural beauty — so a big focus on the natural beauty, the pollinator populations, our beautiful parks and our trees.”

The finalists will be presented to the City Council and the Tree Committee, which will select the winning design.

“We, hopefully, will choose an artist in May or early June, and then the artist can work on the panels throughout the summer, and we can install them in mid to late summer,” Williams said.

The idea is that every two to three years, the mural will be swapped out for another artist’s work, and the previous artist’s work will be returned.

“It’s a great opportunity to be part of encouraging public art in the city of Rochester, and it’s also a great opportunity to really showcase the beauty of Rochester — we have a lot of natural beauty, as well as our wonderful downtown,” Williams said.

The City Beautiful Commission, the Community Foundation of Rochester and Rochester’s Tree Committee have allocated a budget of up to $11,250 for the mural project — $8,000 from the City Beautiful Commission, $2,250 from the Tree Committee and $1,000 from the Community Foundation — including all artist fees, materials and installation costs. The city will purchase the protective coating.

For more information, email the City Beautiful Commission at cbc@rochester.mi.org.