Call to Artist - Downtown Center Exterior Murals

The City of Celina invites qualified, professional artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications and proposals for the design and installation of two exterior mural projects (three murals in total) on the new Downtown Center. The City may award the project to one artist/ team or may separate the two project components into two separate awards. Artists may submit for one or both components.

 The Downtown Center is a five‑story, 100,000 sq. ft. civic building in the heart of Downtown Celina that will serve as the near‑term City administrative offices and public library and will transition to a full library facility in the future.

This project seeks to celebrate Celina’s rich heritage, small-town character, and bold future. The murals will activate pedestrian spaces, enhance civic pride, and contribute to a vibrant, walkable downtown experience.

Project Components & Goals

1.      Two Interactive Murals – West Wall (Rear of Building)

·       Located between the Downtown Center and the adjacent parking structure

·       Positioned within a landscaped and illuminated pedestrian alley

·       Each mural is approximately one story in height and may incorporate existing architectural features, including doors

·       Primary Goal: Create a bold and interactive mural that invites curiosity, delight, and personal connection. They are intended to become memorable touchpoints—places where families pause, neighbors gather, and visitors engage directly with the artwork. In addition to being backdrops for photos, the murals should be immersive and participatory in spirit, encouraging people to step into the artwork, discover details, or interact with the composition in creative ways.

·       Vision: The focus of these murals is to be immersive, experiential, and engaging. Ideally, the murals will also have an element or multiple elements that draw inspiration from Celina’s local heritage.

2.      One Statement Mural – North Wall

·       Located between the Downtown Center and the City Council Chambers (a historic former church building)

·       Positioned within a landscaped and illuminated pedestrian alley

·       The north‑facing wall is visible from the pedestrian alley, as well as from Pecan and Colorado streets (above and around the City Council Chambers building)

·       Approximately three stories tall, spanning floors two through four

·       Primary Goal: Present a large, memorable statement piece with strong visual clarity and thematic resonance. This mural will serve as a defining visual landmark for the exterior of the Downtown Center—a bold, memorable statement piece that conveys Celina’s identity with clarity and confidence. Its scale and visibility make it an anchor within the Downtown district. The City seeks a design that is striking, dignified, and instantly recognizable. The artwork should feel timeless, symbolically meaningful, and capable of becoming one of Celina’s signature visual icons.

·       Vision: The Statement Mural should serve as a powerful visual tribute to the early story of Celina’s Downtown Square—specifically its pre‑1950s era, when the square was the heartbeat of the community. The artwork should illuminate what originally made the square a true destination: the grain silos that anchored daily life, the local shops that shaped commerce, the agricultural heritage that sustained families, and the lively, purposeful rhythm of community gathering. This mural is intended to feel alive and central, reflecting a moment in time when the square connected everyone and everything. The mural should deepen appreciation for Celina’s roots and illuminate how the early square evolved into the community cornerstone people experience today.

Themes & Inspiration

The murals should reflect Celina’s identity and may be bold, stylized, modern, or traditional in execution. Artists are encouraged to interpret the themes creatively while honoring the community’s character.

The Celina Arts and Culture Board has established the following four design pillars as the primary framework for public art across the City. Artists are expected to use at least one of the design pillars in the concepts for the murals. Because these murals are located in Downtown, themes should focus more on history and community components.

1.      Small Town Character

Theme: Where everyone knows your name

Focus Areas:

·       Friendly & Neighborly: We are a community where neighbors help neighbors, kids play together, and everyday acts of kindness are normal. As we grow, we work hard to sustain our character.

·       Family & Faith: Our community is marked by families and family-owned businesses, and we continue to see new families moving here every day. Faith has and continues to mark our community.

·       Civic Pride, Athletic Achievement, & School Spirit: We love our community and schools. We have a long legacy of achievement in football that’s expanding across sports and other activities. We love to highlight community achievements and local heroes.

·       Shared Experiences: Our community comes together through annual events and traditions that continue to evolve and grow yet connect us to our past. We still light the Christmas tree on the square, celebrate our nation’s independence, and connect neighbors and families across our City through shared experiences.

2.      Patriotism

Theme: Pride in country, honor in service, unity in spirit

Focus Areas:

·       Veterans & First Responders: Celina honors those who have served our country and our first responders who serve our community every day.

·       Civic Engagement: Our community is marked by a spirit of volunteerism and public service.

·       National Symbols: We fly the flag across our community to commemorate national holidays. We have pride in being American and integrate our national emblems across our community.

·       Texas: Celina is marked by bold, unmistakable pride in being Texan. We embody the grit, resilience, and independent spirit of Texas.

3.      Trailblazing

Theme: Forging the future, inspired by the past

Focus Areas:

·       Pioneering & Visionary: Our town was founded by pioneers and marked by families with a vision of what could be. From moving the town a few miles to be next to the train to configuring a downtown square with brick buildings, Celina is a story of visionary leaders that continues today.

·       Ingenuity & Grit: We are a City of small businesses, entrepreneurs, artisans, and creative problem-solvers. We are resilient in the face of adversity and have the grit to overcome obstacles.

·       Collaborative & Evolving: Our City has and continues to grow through shared vision and adaptability. The community drives our vision for the future and informs our civic projects. Whether they’ve been here their whole life or moved here two years ago, our residents feel a sense of ownership and collaborate to continue to build our future.

4.      Heritage

Theme: Honoring the land and the tracks that built us

Focus Areas:

·       Agriculture: We celebrate our farming roots, especially wheat, cotton, and livestock. Our silos throughout our Downtown continue to be iconic.

·       Railroad: The railroad played a significant role in our community with early settlers rolling their homes and businesses a few miles to a new location along the tracks.

·       Legacy: Our community was built by families who have been here for generations. As farmland is transformed into neighborhoods, these families continue to leave a legacy throughout our community as new families move here.

About Celina

We are a city with a rich history and a bright, innovative future. As a small town, Celina had a long tradition of family, service, fellowship, patriotism, authenticity, and football. Now, as a growing community, our residents desire to cultivate and sustain this small town character that makes the Celina community special, while deliberately and sustainably growing our City into the future. Celina’s strength lies in our deep roots and bold vision.

Celina is a city where people feel a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Life Connected. is more than a motto – it is a guiding principle that shapes how we govern, serve, and grow. It reflects our commitment to fostering authentic, meaningful, and lasting relationships with everyone who lives, works, visits, or invests in our community – a people-first mindset.

About the Downtown Center

The City of Celina’s Downtown Center is envisioned as a vibrant, welcoming civic destination with an architectural expression of connection, community, and forward-looking growth rooted in local identity. The building brings together public services, library spaces, and civic life within a unified, highly transparent environment organized around a central, light-filled atrium. This vertical heart fosters visual connectivity and interaction across floors, reinforcing the building’s role as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

The design balances contemporary form with references to Celina’s historic downtown character, integrating traditional materials with modern spatial openness and creating a dialogue between the past and the future. Flexible collaboration areas, incubator spaces, and social zones are interwoven throughout the building, supporting creativity, learning, and shared experience. Above, a rooftop event deck extends civic life outdoors, offering spaces for leisure, programming, and community events throughout the year.

Artists are encouraged to respond to themes of connection, transparency, and community vitality, as well as the dialogue between heritage and progress. Artwork should complement an environment designed to be welcoming, adaptable, and animated by public life, reflecting Celina’s evolution while reinforcing its identity as a place to gather, create, and engage.

Construction is expected to be completed in October 2026. In the future, the City plans to build a permanent City Hall in another location Downtown, and the Celina Public Library is planned to expand into the entire Downtown Center.

https://www.celina-tx.gov/1875/Downtown-Center-and-Parking-Garage

Mural Specifications

1.      Two Interactive Murals – West Wall (Rear of Building)

·       Dimensions

o   Panel 1 = 13’ 4” tall by 23’ 5 9/16” wide

o   Panel 2 = 13’ 4” tall by 23’ 5 9/16” wide

·       Materials

o   Panel 1 is EFIS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) with one vent, light, outlet, or other component near the bottom

o   Panel 2 is EFIS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) with a double door near the middle and one vent, light, outlet, or other component near the bottom

2.      One Statement Mural – North Wall

·       Dimensions = 46’ 5 21/32” tall by 25’ 5 3/4” wide

·       Material is EFIS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System)

Mural CoatingArtists are expected to coat each mural with the application of a non-sacrificial, clear anti-graffiti coating system (aliphatic polyurethane/urethane) with UV resistance and non-yellowing properties. The City expects a high-quality product to be used that will extend the life of the mural and protect it against damage and vandalism.

Budget

The City has established a budget range for both project components. These budget ranges are estimates. The City will evaluate each budget proposal from artists.

1.      Two Interactive Murals – West Wall (Rear of Building)

The City’s budget estimate is $30,000 to $95,000.

2.      One Statement Mural – North Wall

The City’s budget estimate is $90,000 to $190,000.

The City requests all artists to provide a detailed project budget that covers all expenses, including but not limited to:

·       Artist fees

·       Design development

·       Materials and supplies

·       Installation

·       Insurance

·       Equipment and labor

·       Application of non-sacrificial, clear anti-graffiti coating system (aliphatic polyurethane/urethane) with UV resistance and non-yellowing properties

·       Travel and accommodations (if applicable)

Project Timeline

·       August 11 – Award contract to finalist

·       August 12 – September 30 – Refine concept to final sketch

·       September 1 – Meet with Arts and Culture Board to receive feedback on concepts

·       September 8 – Review final concepts/sketches with City Council for feedback

·       October 1 – November 15 – Paint murals

·       November 15 – Project Completion

Submission Requirements

Artists may choose to submit concepts for the two interactive murals, the one statement mural, or for both sets of murals. The City may award one contract or may choose to award the projects to two separate artists.

Artists should submit the following:

• Professional résumé, CV, or bio
• Work Sample- Portfolio of relevant past work showcasing previous mural work (minimum 5 examples)
• Artist Statement - Short narrative describing interest in the project and thematic alignment
• Proposed Budget/Fee
• Three professional references from past projects including contract start and end dates as well as actual completion dates.
• Proposed project timeline and process
  • Include information about coordinating with general contractors and working within an active construction area
  • Include proposed creative process to refine initial concept to final design
  • Include projected completion and information about weather delays
  • Address proposed project timeline

Selection Process

A selection panel composed of City staff and community representatives will review submissions and identify one to six finalists. Selected finalists will develop and submit a preliminary detailed color concept with a short explanation of the concepts story/theme , which will be evaluated to make final selection(s). This is not a final design. Each of the selected finalists will receive a $750 stipend to develop preliminary concepts. Finalists may be asked to participate in interviews.

·       June 12 – Submission due date

·       June 15 – 26 – Initial Scoring

·       June 29 – Finalists notified (between one and six finalists will be selected)

·       June 29 – July 15 – Finalists Develop Mural Preliminary Concepts (Sketches)

·       July 20 – 22 – Finalist interviews (virtual in the evenings)

·       July 23 – Finalist(s) selected

·       August 11 – City Council approval of artist(s) / award contract(s)

Evaluation Criteria

Initial Selection Criteria

·       Portfolio/Resume – Work Samples relevant to project (50%)

·       Proposed Project Process and Timeline (25%)

·       Proven Track Record of Timely Completion of Projects (15%)

·       Proposed Budget/Fee (10%)

·       Local Artist (5%)

Finalist Selection Criteria

·       Concept creativity, originality, visual impact, and connection to the City’s themes (40%)

·       Appropriateness of Theme and Imagery for a Public Setting (30%)

·       Reference check (20%)

·       Proposed Budget/Fee (10%)

• Professional résumé, CV, or bio
• Work Sample- Portfolio of relevant past work showcasing previous mural work (minimum 5 examples)
• Artist Statement - Short narrative describing interest in the project and thematic alignment
• Proposed Budget/Fee
• Three professional references from past projects including contract start and end dates as well as actual completion dates. 
• Proposed project timeline and process:

• Include information about coordinating with general contractors and working within an active construction area
• Include proposed creative process to refine initial concept to final design
• Include projected completion and information about weather delays
• Address proposed project timeline
  
   

The project is open to all professional artists nationwide at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have experience in similar projects. Artist or Professional Artist means a practitioner in the visual arts, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional of serious intent and ability, income realized through the sole commission of artwork and frequent or consistent art exhibitions. 

Insurance

Prior to executing a Contract, the successful proposer will supply the Purchasing Office with an original certificate of insurance evidencing the stated requirements located here: https://www.celina-tx.gov/1415/Doing-Business-with-the-City.  This insurance shall be effective for the contract duration, and renewal certificates shall also be supplied upon expiration.