The Aurora Public Art office is seeking artists for three different kinds of mural projects for 2021.
The themes and locations include a Mexican folk art mural on a railroad viaduct wall, local architecture on utility boxes, and diversity and technology on a second-story wall.
The Mexican folk art mural will be installed on the north wall of the New York Street railroad viaduct. The design theme will be depictions of alebrijes, brightly-colored sculptures of mythical creatures. This project is funded by the city of Aurora and a grant from the Burlington Northern Foundation.
The utility box murals are a continuation of an ongoing project to beautify them at intersections throughout town, Aurora Public Art officials said.
To date, 12 utility boxes have been painted by local artists. The 2021 utility box murals are sponsored by Aurora Downtown and are located at six sites scattered throughout the downtown area.
The theme for the 2021 utility box murals is colorful interpretations and geometric abstractions inspired by downtown Aurora’s historic architecture.
Aurora Public Art is also seeking design proposals for a legacy mural on an approximately 40-foot by 40-foot section of the eastern wall of 105 E. Galena Blvd.
The theme of the piece is Diversity in Technology, to express Aurora’s cultural diversity and growing technology industry. The ideal proposal will feature realistic portraits and abstract expressions of technology, according to Aurora Public Art officials.
The Diversity in Technology mural is funded in large part by sponsorship from Aurora Downtown and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The city acquired funding through the NEA’s Arts Engagement in American Communities program.
“After a year of uncertainty, we are thrilled to be able to partner with Aurora Downtown, BNSF, and The National Endowment for the Arts to provide vibrant public art opportunities,” said Jen Evans, the city’s Public Art director.
Artists of all levels are encouraged to apply. Student, amateur and professional designs will be considered, officials said. Preference will be given to residents of Aurora.
Specific design requirements and additional information are available in the requests for proposals, which may be viewed on Aurora Public Art’s website at www.aurora-il.org/1952/Calls-for-Artists.
Proposals for all projects are due at noon, March 1.
Artists may submit their proposals for the Mexican folk art mural and utility box murals through an online application form.
Bids for the Diversity in Technology mural are to be emailed to the city’s Purchasing Department.
Links to all project applications are contained in the requests for proposals on the city’s Public Art website.
