Pleasant Street Mural

The City of Pawtucket, RI is seeking qualifications from visual artists for the 2022 Pleasant Street Mural Project, made possible in part by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Located at the intersection of Jenks Way and Pleasant Street, the site runs parallel to the Blackstone River from downtown Pawtucket to the City of Providence. The northernmost portion of Pleasant Street includes a large concrete retaining wall that is highly visible and ideal for public artwork.

Following review of submitted responses, the City will contact 2-3 artists to participate in a community design workshop (in person or Zoom) in summer 2022. This approximately 2-hour workshop is intended for artists to visit the mural wall location, present past work and mural ideas, converse with residents and stakeholders, and solicit public feedback. Participating artists will receive a $500 stipend for services and travel expenses. Artists will then submit a final mural design proposal approximately five weeks after the workshop. A single final mural proposal will be selected, and the selected artist will complete the mural in summer 2022 in coordination with the Pawtucket Department of Planning and Redevelopment, Department of Public Works, Cornerstone Corporation, and neighborhood residents as needed.

Eligibility is national, with Rhode Island artists specifically encouraged to apply. Submissions must include 5-10 images of past work. Selection criteria include media, quality, audience impact, style, scale, materials, form, condition, permanence, technical feasibility, fiscal feasibility, and public safety. Projects of purely commercial, political, or religious nature intended to persuade rather than contribute to aesthetic enjoyment will not be considered. The total project budget is $30,000, with $17,800 directly allocated to the selected artist for final mural labor and services. Questions must be submitted in writing by March 31, 2022 to Diana Figueroa at [email protected] with subject line "Pleasant Street Mural."