WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Public Art Council (WPAC) announced that it is searching for Virginia-based artists or artist teams to design two murals in Midtown Row.
WPAC posted a Request for Quotes (RFQ) online at the beginning of the month on April 1, 2022.
Midtown Row and WPAC worked together to explore potential sites for the murals, and at the end of that process, two walls located at the Food Lion building were selected as the mural sites.
According to the RFQ, “Through its Public Art Program, the Williamsburg Public Art Council wishes to celebrate the City’s past, present, and future with public art; enhance the City’s identity and economic vitality by encouraging people to spend more time in the City engaged with public art; and highlight and enhance the beauty and unique character of the City.”
The solicitation for bids is open to all Virginia-based artists and teams of artists. However, preference is given to artists with a special connection to the Greater Williamsburg area.
According to a release, “Based on a public input survey conducted in the fall of 2021, the themes of ‘Community Connections’ and ‘Nature & Beauty’ were chosen for walls. The proposed budgets should not exceed the amounts of $11,000 and $7,000 for each respective wall.”
“The Public Art Council is thrilled to kick off the first mural project in Williamsburg,” said WPAC Chair Robert Currie in a release. “There are some very exciting artists and art collectives working in Virginia, so we look forward to seeing the mural proposals that are submitted for these walls in Midtown Row.”
The deadline for submissions is set for 4:30 p.m. on May 16. Afterward, the WPAC and City staff will work to select finalists and a public comment period will open in July. The selected winner will be announced in early August and installation is slated to be completed by Sept. 15.
Artists who are interested in submitting a bid can find the RFQ online at the City of Williamsburg government website for additional information.
