Hamilton, Ohio – Keep them coming.
A call went out and artists responded, but StreetSpark Program Manager Jennifer Acus-Smith would like even more options to present her committee when it convenes in the new year to select the semifinalists who will create designs for the mural program’s 21st large-scale creation.
“So far, there are about 30 completed applications and I know of about 30 others in progress,” Acus-Smith said. “I would love to see even more local applicants take part in the application process.”
With the mural planned for a 24x75-foot wall (1,800 square feet) on the Hamilton Living Water Ministry building the Jefferson neighborhood, the opportunity for representation seems ideal. Artists must be at least 18 years old and should have experience in mural design, creation and team management.
The Jefferson neighborhood - also known as the Fourth Ward - was once a highly industrial neighborhood and an enclave for Italian immigrants. It now houses many bustling family-owned small businesses and is the city’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood, including a large Hispanic population.
Hamilton Living Water Ministry seeks a welcoming mural to add beauty to the area and highlight its mission to make a positive impact on the lives of at-risk youth and families in Hamilton’s inner city.
“We love this opportunity to create public art that helps showcase a local non-profit that is working daily to create connection and opportunity for its nearby community,” said StreetSpark program manager Jennifer Acus-Smith. “Bringing beauty and inspiration to a space can go a long way to boost neighborhood pride.”
The call to artists to complete a Request For Qualifications opened December 2; the RFQ deadline is Sunday, January 5, 2025. The committee selects three semifinalists during the week of January 13, 2025 (and awards each of them $500).
Semifinalists then develop design proposals due February 12, 2025. The committee selects the winning applicant in early March and provides a stipend of $1,000. Additionally, the winning artist will receive payment to paint the mural in the summer with a team of supporting artists.
Please visit fittoncenter.org/streetspark for complete RFQ details. Contact Acus-Smith at streetsparkart@gmail.com with questions and inquiries
Originated in 2016 as a partnership between the Fitton Center for Creative Arts and the City of Hamilton, 2025 marks StreetSpark’s 10th year transforming public spaces through murals. Funding for the project comes from the City of Hamilton and the Ohio Arts Council.
Since its inception, StreetSpark artists have designed and painted 20 murals and 17 utility boxes. The newest is 2024’s Tourism Series: Hamilton, designed and painted by Cincinnati- and Louisville-based art collective Often Seen Rarely Spoken. The 3,750-square-foot design along the Great Miami River across from Spooky Nook on the Dave Belew Trail is the second-largest in program history.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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