East Somerville Main Streets is seeking street artists for a mural on the front of the building at Connexion, 149 Broadway.

ESMS and Connexion seek a mural that will celebrate the diversity of the East Somerville community. East Somerville is the most diverse neighborhood in Somerville, with over 35% of residents born outside of the United States, and with large Brazilian, Central American, and Haitian communities. Additionally, nearly 80% of East Somerville businesses are immigrant owned.

Recently, Connexion added a free library in the window directly below the proposed mural. The library is in conjunction with All She Wrote Books, an intersectional, inclusive feminist and queer bookstore that supports, celebrates, and amplifies underrepresented voices through their thoughtfully curated selection of books spanning across all genres. As Connexion sits at the heart of East Somerville on Broadway, and is a gathering place for many, it will be important for the mural to highlight the importance of community life and acceptance of all people.

The project is open to all artists & artist groups. Artists may apply as an individual or as a group. If you apply as a group, please provide references and samples for each artist.

All pieces must be appropriate for all ages and not considered offensive to any group based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, place of origin, etc. 

Connexion strives to build community by creating a welcoming, fully inclusive, just and loving collaborative space. Connexion is a community space serving many East Somerville organizations such as Project SOUP, East Somerville Main Streets, and Girl Scouts. Most recently, Connexion added a free library, the Connexion Collection.

East Somerville Main Streets mission is to improve the life of our community by building investment, connection and pride in our main street. We do this through a variety of ways including; Small Business Technical Assistance projects and promoting the East Broadway Business District as a remarkable and unique cultural destination, known for celebrating its traditions and heritage and maintaining the community’s diversity.

Compensation:
$3,000 for supplies and labor; Specs: 378 square feet

Selection Criteria:
Selection will be made by a panel comprised of East Somerville Main Street staff, Connexion
community members, and two professional artists. The selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated qualifications of experience painting large-scale, outdoor murals

• Demonstration of quality of work

• Strong conceptual skills with innovative and effective approaches that reflect the vision of the community

• Ability to successfully execute and complete project within the proposed time frame

• Positive references demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills

• Completeness of application
   

HOW TO APPLY:

Provide the following (typed) information:
1.      Contact info: name, e-mail and mailing address, phone
2.      Link to website or other page with examples of your body of work (if applicable)
3.      Proposal description, sketch of project, and projected budget (labor, supplies, additional costs)
4.      Curriculum Vitae
 
Email Proposals to:
Lindsay Allen, Director@eastsomervillemainstreets.org
OR
 
Mail proposals to:                                                            
East Somerville Main Streets                                          
149 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02145