Gatton Park on the Town Branch Boxcar Mural

Gatton Park on the Town Branch seeks experienced artists to paint a mural on the outer four walls of an RJ Corman vintage boxcar approximately 1,725 square feet (53x13 ft.) that will serve as the primary outdoor structure for the park's food and beverage services. The boxcar is located behind the park's amphitheater in the cafe plaza at 795 Manchester St., Lexington, KY 40508. All four sides of the boxcar are to be painted with the exception of a door or window. The front and left side will be the public-facing surfaces requiring the most detailed design, while the back and right side may have minimal design while maintaining a cohesive color scheme and theme. The artwork should be site-specific and scaled with sensitivity to the historic landscape.

The project budget is $55,000 - $60,000, which includes the artist's fee, research, execution, insurance, taxes, site preparation, equipment rental, a final application of UV and graffiti resistant protective coat, and all materials required to complete the project. Finalists will be paid $1,000 upon delivery of a complete site-specific proposal including composition, concept statement, and process outlining budget and timeline. An additional travel stipend up to $700 will be provided to finalists who conduct a site visit during the design phase. There is no application fee to enter.

Eligibility is regional: artists who reside in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, or Ohio may apply, with preference given to Kentucky-based artists. Artists must be able to legally work in the United States and be at least 18 years of age. Submissions must include a one-page artist statement describing public art experience, a current resume, and up to 6 digital images or a combination of images and video of past public artwork with descriptions of size, media, budget, year completed, and location. Please indicate which works were painted on rugged, uneven, or textured surfaces. The selection committee will identify finalists in early February 2025, with finalist proposals due in April 2025 and the selected artist notified in May 2025. Artwork installation is scheduled for Spring/Summer 2025 with unveiling in Fall 2025. For more information, contact Erica Cook at (859) 281-8420 or [email protected].