Clearwater Calling For Artists For Multiple Public Art Projects

Jun 11, 2023

CLEARWATER, FL — The Clearwater Public Art & Design Program has multiple public art opportunities for professional artists to design and create artwork on several installations in the city.

The city is seeking a muralist to paint two water tanks; a mosaic artist for the Mercado, a new community space in the city's Downtown Gateway; and a sculptor to build an installation at the new city Fire Station 46 on Clearwater Beach.

Countryside Water Tanks: A stipend of $30,000 is available for murals on two public water tanks at 2709 State Road 580 in Clearwater's Countryside neighborhood. The city is looking for an engaging mural or image to beautify the tanks, which are highly visible on a heavy commuter state road. Themes and topics suggested include sea life, Florida nature scenes, game fish, seabirds, ospreys, water conservation or a postcard-style mural.

"Public Utilities is excited to be able to incorporate something beautiful and engaging onto our water infrastructure for the enjoyment of passersby. This is just the beginning for projects like this," said Clearwater Public Utilities Director Richard Gardner.

Fire Station 46: A stipend of $75,000 is available for the creation of an engaging sculpture with glass elements to add to the visitor experience at this fire station, just steps from world-famous Clearwater Beach. Themes and topics suggested include fire elements, water elements or fire station patches that firefighters exchange with other city and state fire departments. The sculpture should also contain a light element, either beneath the base of the sculpture to illuminate from within or uplighting so passersby can enjoy the sculpture during the day or night.

"The Clearwater Beach Fire Station is by far the most visited fire station in our city. We want the sculpture to reflect that and be an open invitation to our neighbors and visitors to the area to stop in and say hello," said Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers.

The Mercado: A $75,000 stipend is available for a mosaic at "The Mercado," a new community space opening this summer as part of the city's Cleveland Street Streetscape Phase III and Mercado construction project, bringing major improvements to Cleveland Street and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. The east facade of a building in the Mercado, where Cleveland Street meets Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, features four panel areas where the city is seeking a mosaic art installation. There will also be 11 circular planter areas where mosaic and mural art is sought. Collectively all these surfaces within The Mercado can be transformed to create an immersive public art installation that can be enjoyed from all areas of the plaza as well from cars.

"The Mercado will soon open as a new community gathering space in the heart of the Downtown Gateway. We look forward to seeing a beautiful mosaic element created that will celebrate and bring the community together," said Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Jaye Matthews.

To apply and learn more about the opportunities, click here.