Design Artwork for a San Mateo County Park Poster - Round 2

In celebration of San Mateo County Parks' centennial, the Parks Foundation seeks three professional or emerging artists to each design a poster for three of the 24 San Mateo County Parks. Selected artists will receive a $2,500 commission for their work, paid in two installments ($1,000 upfront and $1,500 upon completion).

Artists are invited to design posters for: 1) San Pedro Valley Park, which features diverse ecosystems, trails with expansive views, three creeks, and Brooks Falls—the only waterfall in the San Mateo County Park system; 2) Sawyer Camp Trail, a 6-mile paved trail offering views of Crystal Springs Reservoir and home to the Jepson Laurel, estimated to be over 600 years old; and 3) Wunderlich Park, a forested park popular for hiking and equestrian use, home to the historic Folger Stable and Carriage Room Museum. Each park poster will be designed by a different artist. Unifying design details will be incorporated into each design, including consistent border size and the park's name and San Mateo County Parks Foundation's name in a consistent font at the bottom. Artwork must include recognizable landmarks or park features. Final posters will be 11"x17" and vertical. All mediums except photography are eligible; saturated colors are preferred.

Submissions must be delivered by August 9, 2024 at 10:59 PM PST and include: an artist statement (two pages maximum) addressing your interest in the project, professional and artistic qualifications, aesthetic direction, experience with poster design, approach to developing the artwork, and ability to work collaboratively; a resume/CV with contact information and website URL; and at least three references from past projects with contact information. Eligibility is open to professional and emerging artists 18 years and older who are legally able to work in the United States, with priority given to those who live or work in San Mateo County, followed by Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma counties. Ineligible applicants include jury members and their immediate family, Parks Foundation staff and board members, County of San Mateo elected officials, and San Mateo County Parks staff. A jury of five members will review applications and select several artists for informal interviews in September. All entrants will be notified by mid-September. Selected artists will meet with staff to develop a proposal including a rendering and design statement, with opportunity for collaborative feedback. Final artwork will become the property of the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, which reserves the right to use it in future marketing efforts and for possible reproduction in other formats.