Long Lake x Ralston Creek Trail Mural

Arvada Arts & Culture Commission is seeking an artist/artist team to design and paint a mural at the 66th Ave underpass on Ralston Creek Trail in Arvada, Colorado, near Long Lake. 

This mixed-use trail is used by cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and other non-motorized trail users. The underpass has a standard shape with vertical walls that rise to a ceiling. The location is 66th Ave and Ralston Creek Trail, near Long Lake Youth and Athletic Fields, the water treatment plant, the NAAC, Arvada Reservoir, Bird’s Nest Disc Golf, and West Arvada Dog Park.

Arvada Arts & Culture Commission is seeking an artist/artist team to design and paint a mural at the 66th Ave underpass on Ralston Creek Trail in Arvada, Colorado, near Long Lake.

This mixed-use trail is used by cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians, and other non-motorized trail users. The underpass has a standard shape with vertical walls that rise to a ceiling. The location is 66th Ave and Ralston Creek Trail, near Long Lake Youth and Athletic Fields, the water treatment plant, the NAAC, Arvada Reservoir, Bird’s Nest Disc Golf, and West Arvada Dog Park.

A video showcasing the site is available here.

The artist(s) awarded the contract will design and paint a mural to cover approximately 3,476 sq ft (side walls) with the option of including the ceiling, which is an additional 2,288 sq ft. We are open to design ideas from artists, which may or may not include the ceiling.

The selected artist/artist team will be awarded a $60,000 contract for all project phases, including all necessary elements to successfully design and paint the mural. AACC will fund and supply protective graffiti coating to protect the completed mural. Artist finalists who are not awarded the final commission will be given an honorarium of $250 for their completion of the full proposals for the mural site.

This mural project is open to various 2-dimensional concepts, including representational and non-representational imagery. Budgets are inclusive of all costs associated with the mural, including, but not limited to, materials, artist design fee, installation labor, travel, per diem expenses, project documentation, equipment rental, unexpected expenses, and any other costs related to the creation of the mural. The Arvada Arts and Culture Commission will fund and supply protective graffiti coating to protect the completed mural.

The Arvada Arts & Culture Commission will review the submissions and select up to four finalists based on their proposals, resumes, and previous work examples. These finalists will be asked to complete a full proposal for their concept for this mural site. The finalists who are not awarded the commission will be given an honorarium of $250 for their completion of the full proposals for the mural site.

Project Considerations

• Develop and paint a mural artwork.
• Design a work that fits well into the context of the site.
• Use materials that are of the highest quality, that are designed for durability and low maintenance. Mural concepts that include wheatpaste elements on non-durable materials are not eligible for this project.
• Complete the project within the set timeline and within budget.
• The artist agrees to participate in any press or media opportunities as they arise, such as print, interviews, discussions, and presentations as deemed necessary by the Arvada Arts & Culture Commission or City of Arvada.
• The artist will not be responsible for the general maintenance of the artwork once completed, but agrees to be available after services have been completed for repair consultation if needed.

Timeline

• Application Deadline | Sunday, July 12 (11:59 PM)
• Jurying Period | July 13-16
• Four Finalists Notified | Friday, July 17
• Final Designs Due | Sunday, August 16  (11:59 PM)
• Final Jurying Period | August 17-20
• Finalist Announced | Friday, August 21
• Installation Complete | Saturday, October 31, 2026

To apply: Applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a current Colorado home or studio address to be eligible to apply. This call is administered through CaFÉ. Artists must set up a profile in the online system to complete the application successfully. Eligible artists may submit their artist statement, resume/CV, and three to five examples of relevant projects through https://www.callforentry.org/.

To apply: Applicants must be 18 years or older and hold a current Colorado home or studio address to be eligible to apply. This call is administered through CaFÉ. Artists must set up a profile in the online system to complete the application successfully. Eligible artists may submit their artist statement, resume/CV, and three to five examples of relevant projects through https://www.callforentry.org/