Surf City Mural #2

Access 19
Access 19-2
Access 19-3
Access 19-4
Access 19-5
Access 19-6

Dear Artists,

 On behalf of the Town of Surf City’s Beautification and Enhancement Committee (BEC), we are excited to share this commission opportunity, open to all North Carolina Artists with experience in outdoor murals, who are interested in submitting a proposal. The winning concept will capture the essence of the chosen theme with a permanent installation on a public wall donated by The Town of Surf City.

 The Beautification and Enhancement Committee reports directly to the Town of Surf City’s Town Council and is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the beauty of Surf City through beautification and enhancement projects like murals. The Public Art commissioned by the BEC will be located within the town of Surf City, creating a cultural destination for Surf City and the greater Topsail Island residents and visitors to the island.

Projected TIMELINE Kinston Bathroom at Access #19, 200 South Shore Dr. #2 Mural:

January 30, 2024                               Deadline for Submissions

February 13, 2024                            Submission to Council for approval – top 2-3 options       

February , 2024                                 Conversations/Negotiations with artists

March 1, 2024                                    Winner Announced

March 15, 2024                                 Pre- Installation & Site Prep Work Completed

April 1, 2024                                       Installation Begins

May 1, 2024                                        Mural Completed*

 *Dates contingent on weather

 THEME

 This mural shall represent the Chosen Theme. We want to see what you bring to these walls, and we are open to your imagination.

 Surf City has been the commercial heart of Topsail Island for over 60 years. The town has grown from a small fishing village that was home to a handful of families to a year-round community of around 1,900. Visitors enjoy Surf City as “the way the beach used to be,” quiet and serene. Surf City’s clean and uncrowded beaches have become the town’s main attraction where visitors can enjoy the sand on their feet and the peaceful rhythms of the ocean under a deep blue sky. West of Surf City, Topsail Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway separate the island from the mainland. This narrow body of water provides the perfect setting for canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing.

 The community’s history includes early American pirates, Operation Bumblebee during WWII, and recent history such as the beloved and iconic Swing Bridge.

 The natural environment of Surf City and the Topsail Region create a strong community and cultural bond to the health and sanctuary of sea turtles, oysters, shrimp, and crabs, as well as local inshore and offshore fishing.  

Some thoughts to consider for mural content. This beach access location is the busiest access to the beach, it is a walk/drive over access and is seen by the most people. Theme suggestions:

  • Celebrate the Sea: The many beautiful creatures that live in and near the ocean
  • A Day at the Beach: surfing, swimming, sandcastles, sunbathing, walking, volleyball, etc
  • Multiple elements around the building or one main theme covering the whole building
  • Interactive elements encouraged: allowing visitors to “put themselves in the mural” for photos
  • Get creative with the space available – show us your own unique idea

Concepts to avoid: anything perceived as political, religious, or vulgar

SITE LOCATION & DIMENSIONS

 The space that has been identified by BEC for public art is the concrete multi-sided bath house and fencing located at the Kinston St. Beach Access (number 19), located at 200 South Shore Dr. You may use all sides of the building, all doors, and the fencing that corrals the garbage cans (keeping in mind that wooden fencing may need to be replaced at any time).

The building is multi-sided and multi-angled, with doors, a shower, and fencing along one side that contains the garbage cans. The total surface area of the walls is approximately 374 square feet.

 The walls are built with concrete block. They will be pressure washed and primed with a white primer as appropriate.  

 Please see attached for photographs of wall, and sketch of dimensions.   

 SELECTION PROCESS AND PROPOSALS

 The Artist selection process is informal. We encourage all interested Artists to submit a preliminary concept rendering that fulfills the selected theme. Artist’s concept is encouraged to include an interactive element, something that people could pose with and be “in” the mural. The Artist may submit up to three (3) concepts rendering(s). The rendering(s) must contain sufficient detail to convey the artist’s concept in terms of content, style, colors, inspiration, etc. Please also include the proposed name of your concept and any helpful narrative.

 Other than for the general theme itself, the BEC encourages Artists to have fun. We are looking to the artist’s creativity to propose his or her own original concept that best embodies and conveys the theme.

 All proposals will be presented to the BEC, via the intermediary submission portal, for their consideration. The Committee will be voting on design, cost, and narritive. Past exterior mural experience and references will be considered by the committee in addition to how well it fulfills the RFP.

 If selected, the artist will be required to provide a more formal and scaled mockup of the mural, which will need to be completed prior to presentation to Town Council and formal awarding of the contract.  

COMPENSATION

Please include a quote for your artistic services that includes all supplies required to complete the project. This commission is a gross lump sum and the artists expenses for paint, paint supplies, cleanup and protective supplies would be the responsibility of the artist. Community support and donations of materials may be sought by the Committee to try and reduce the overall cost for supplies but is not guaranteed.

QUALITY OF MATERIALS

The artist shall use paint and supplies, a final UV/Anti-graffiti clear coat, etc. of sufficient quality and caliber as to withstand the oceanfront/coastal elements of high sun, salt air, and wind. The artist’s contract shall include a stipulation for repairs and maintenance for up to 3 years. See final contract for full details.

 The wall will be cleaned and primed white to create a clean, blank canvas. All additional paint and supplies will be provided by the artist. The town will also supply scaffolding to the artist if necessary.

 The BEC is authorized to negotiate with the selected artist on all aspects of the installation proposal including, but not limited to compensation, installation schedule, liability insurance, wall preparation requirements, equipment needs, final concept details, city permits, and other provisions. The BEC is free to reject all concepts and to restart the process. The BEC will employ an intermediary to assist in coordinating the final selection and will assist the artist through completion.

 Once the artist has been selected, the proposal approved, and the contract signed, “Let the painting begin.”

 Proposals will be accepted through January 30, 2024.

 The Intermediary will be available to meet in person, Zoom or by telephone to discuss the theme in more detail, and to answer any questions you may have.

 To deliver your submission by January 30, 2024, please visit this website and follow the directions under the “Call for Entries” tab: https://artexposure50.com

 Respectfully,

 Sandi Monroe                                                   Kyle Breuer  
Chair, Surf City Beautification                      Town Manager, Surf City               
 & Enhancement Committee