Ferndale DDA launches downtown mural program

FERNDALE — Ferndale’s Downtown Development Authority has begun accepting applications to install new murals in the city.

The DDA announced this month that it was launching the Downtown Mural Program, which aims to “enhance the city’s character and personality through the creation of outdoor murals,” a press release states. The DDA will be looking to add up to three murals for this submission period.

Though many murals have been created and placed in downtown Ferndale, this will be the first program like this under the DDA, said Engagement Manager Sommer Realy, and it will be an ongoing program.

“The overall program is to create these murals on public and private property,” she said. “There will be an advisory committee that makes this selection. We feel strongly that murals are a great way to add the character and personality to any urban environment, and it’s something that exists here already in Ferndale, and we’re just happy to be able to get to a position to support it with funds.”

After the application process ends, the submissions will be reviewed and scored by the Downtown Ferndale Mural Program Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the DDA, the city and the Ferndale Arts and Cultural Commission.

The DDA will be looking to add up to three murals for this submission period, but the number of murals funded each year will vary based on budget availability and the size and scope of the proposals received.

Once completed, the murals would be unveiled in September. The locations of the murals will be within the DDA District.

The theme for the murals that will be created this year is “You Belong Here,” which “highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity, with a focus on welcoming artists of all backgrounds and skill levels,” the release stated.

“What it means to (the applicant) about belonging here,” Realy said. “Ferndale is known as this diverse, equality, all-inclusive location, but we’re looking for the perspective of what ‘You Belong Here’ really means to that artist. It’s more of those three words being a prompt of what it is. It can be as abstract as a creator (wants).”

The application process is open to artists, who don’t need to be residents, though some preference might be given to local artists and property owners.

One of the last murals to be created in Ferndale is the one located on The dot, which was made by Pleasant Ridge artist Mike Ross.

Ross said downtown art and murals add a lot to the character of a city. He stated that most cities have a similar program to what Ferndale has, as they’ve come around to the idea that murals or street art enhances a city or building rather than detracts from it.

“Murals are for everybody to see,” he said. “You don’t have to go into a fancy art gallery. You don’t have to walk into a museum. You can be walking down the street or driving down the street even, and you see a mural and you’re looking at art. So I like that kind of democratic sort of aspect of murals, because I think art in general, it just makes people feel better. No matter what it is, whether it’s just something pretty to look at or if it’s something very thought provoking, social commentary, you know, it makes you think.”

“In doing that thinking, I think that sort of massages your brain a little bit,” he continued. “I think kind of leaning your brain in that direction, it helps you feel better. So I think the fact that cities are doing that and I think that Ferndale in particular is doing (that), I think it’s fantastic.”

The deadline to submit an application is midnight Friday, March 10. For more information and how to submit, visit www.downtownferndale.com/mural.