Call to Artist - Downtown Center

The City of Celina, Texas, invites talented digital artists to submit qualifications and proposals for the creation of a vibrant, modern, and colorful digital mural to be printed on acoustic panels for the new Downtown Center. This mural will serve as the centerpiece of the building's interior, celebrating the City's unique identity, history, small town character, and growth. The artwork should resonate with residents and visitors, fostering a sense of pride and connection while enhancing the aesthetic environment of this new civic space.

The mural will be located on the first floor next to the main entrance, extending down and around the stairs into the children's library area. The design must reflect a modern artistic style, incorporate bold and vibrant colors, and visually interpret a journey connecting the City's heritage to the future. Artists must integrate one or more key elements including the Celina Water Tower, train, Downtown Square, books/library, legacy, agriculture, or sunrises and sunsets. The color scheme of the lower section must include darker colors to coordinate with the children's library space theme.

Application requirements include an artist statement (1 page or less), resume or biography, five references of similar scope and size, preliminary sketches or mock-ups, and a proposed budget covering all associated costs including feedback and refinement. Evaluation criteria include artist qualifications and work samples (25%), creativity and visual impact (25%), appropriateness for public setting (15%), project references (15%), proposed budget (15%), and local artist preference for Collin and Denton Counties (5%). Construction of the Downtown Center is expected to be completed in October 2026.