Borough of West Chester: Call For Art

West Chester PA

22 April, 2021

7:53 PM

Description

Press release from the Borough of West Chester: Posted on: April 22, 2021 Call for Artist Submissions Housing Equity Mural Project May 1, 2021 Submissions accepted now for the Housing Equity Mural Project, sponsored by the Friends Association for Care & Protection of Children, a Chester County based non-profit organization. Friends Association and the West Chester Borough Public Arts Commission (PAC) invite artists to submit art proposals for a mural to promote housing equity and social justice. Friends Association and PAC are issuing an open call to invite submissions of original mural art to be juried and selected, in whole or in part, for the Housing Equity Mural Project. Background & Theme To honor its 200th anniversary in 2022, Friends Association will host events and activities to promote social justice, specifically as it applies to housing equity. Friends Association provides emergency housing and prevention services to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Chester County. With roots in Quaker tradition, Friends was established when abolitionist women in Philadelphia partnered with the Black community to provide a nurturing home to children who had lost their families due to enslavement. Over the last two centuries, the organization has evolved but has never lost its sense of dignity and respect for each member of society. One goal for the 200th anniversary year is to establish a permanent artistic representation of our belief that housing is a human right and everyone in our community is deserving of a safe, secure home. While artists' ideas are welcomed, the mural should capture the ideals that are embodied at Friends Association including: Social Justice – we believe that housing is a human right and as a community we can and should make ensuring housing for all a priority. Family – we keep families together in times of crises and provide services to all families, regardless of their makeup. Dignity and Respect – we believe that every person is entitled to fair and equitable treatment on all levels; that each person's life experiences inform their present and that they deserve the most basic of rights – safe housing – through which to heal from those experiences. Inclusion – we believe that the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution and we seek to amplify the voices of communities where we work. Benefits The artist whose work is selected will have their artwork displayed on a prominent building in Downtown West Chester. West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, and home to over 20,000 residents. West Chester has over 600 businesses bringing in thousands of workers every day. There are 75 restaurants and 60 retailers, as well as dozens of nearby attractions, all of which make West Chester a premier destination for travelers. The mural artwork may be featured online, in print, and as merchandise by Friends Association, PAC, and other local entities. The artist whose work is selected will receive a $1,000 award. Upon completion of the mural, the artist will receive compensation in the amount of $9,000.00. The cost of wall preparation, materials, and equipment will be covered by Friends Association, and these budgets will be negotiated at a later date. In addition, Friends Association will feature the artist in its publicity. Continue here to learn more... This press release was produced by the Borough of West Chester. The views expressed are the author's own.