Aurora Public Art puts out call for three outdoor mural projects

Aurora Public Art is seeking artists for a variety of 2021 opportunities. 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 traffic cabinets at intersections throughout the city.

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- 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. 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 of Aurora 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,” says Jen Evans, Public Art Director for the City of Aurora.

Artists of all levels are encouraged to apply. Student, amateur, and professional designs will be considered. Preference will be given to residents of Aurora.

Specific design requirements and additional information are available in the RFPs, which may be viewed on Aurora Public Art’s website: 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 purchasing department.

Links to all project applications are contained in the request for proposals on city’s website (www.aurora-il.org/1952/Calls-for-Artists).