Local artists wanted for City of Lethbridge mural program

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Downtown Lethbridge already has a lot of lovely murals decorating buildings downtown, but the City of Lethbridge is looking for more.

The Slice features one of several beautiful murals downtown. Photo by Richard Amery
The City of Lethbridge is looking for building owners and local artists to collaborate on beautifying the city with a new public art call.
“ It’s an opportunity for artists and building owners to collaborate on beautifying the city,” said City of Lethbridge Community Arts and Culture , Recreation and Culture manager Jillian Bracken.


 The city is willing to fund up to 10 works at $15,000 each.
 The City of Lethbridge and Heart of the City Committee announced the program earlier this week. It is something that they have been working on for quite a few years, but got delayed  by Covid 19.


“ It will be funded 100 per cent up to $15,000. It really is a great opportunity,” she continued.

 Applicants must be either the owner of a building in Lethbridge or a Lethbridge/Lethbridge area artist. Bracken said the city is willing to help pair artists and owners for the project.


 “ A mural is an artwork painted or applied directly on a wall. Murals help add vibrancy to our community by activating public spaces, promoting community expression, and deterring graffiti vandalism. EOIs can be submitted by either building owners seeking a mural on an exterior building wall, or by an artist who has received permission from a building owner to install a mural on an exterior building wall,” notes the art call online https://www.publicartlethbridge.ca/current-calls/
 It is designed as a pilot  project which will hopefully result in the development of a formal mural program.

“ They should be on an exterior wall located within Lethbridge city limits and be easily visible to the public  to come and appreciate it,” Bracken continued, adding it must be appropriate for public display and reflect at least one of the guiding principles of the city‘s public art master plan including inclusivity, diversity, accessibility, creativity, sustainability and quality.

 


“Though it doesn’t have to be literal,” she continued, emphasizing it must not include promotional or  commercial content.


 If the mural is located downtown,  it should also embody one of the pillars of the Heart of Our City Master plan: beautiful, livable, sustainable, accessible and vibrant.


 Applicants  may only submit one expression of interest per property, though submissions can include ideas for multiple murals.


 The deadline to submit is Sept. 14.  Selections will be made by Oct. 16.


“They must be completed by the end of next summer,” Bracken said.
“With Covid putting a lot of artists out of work, we’re happy to support them helping beautify the city,” she said.
 More information  about the program is at https://www.publicartlethbridge.ca/current-calls/
 E-mail submissions or questions about the program to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
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