Request for Proposals

Outdoor Community Mural Project

Downtown Oberlin Crosswalk Mural

Art Fair in the Square 2026

Deadline for Proposal Submission: Saturday, August 15, 2026

The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), in partnership with the City of Oberlin, invites artists to submit proposals for the 2026 Downtown Oberlin Crosswalk Mural.

This year's project offers a unique opportunity to create a vibrant, engaging work of public art that will become part of one of downtown Oberlin's most highly traveled pedestrian spaces. The mural will be painted during Art Fair in the Square on Saturday, September 12, 2026, allowing thousands of visitors to watch the artwork come to life.

Project Location

The mural will be installed in the crosswalk crossing West College Street between College Place and Tappan Square in downtown Oberlin, Ohio.

Project Budget

Up to $18,000 is available for the project.

The selected artist's budget should include all project expenses, including but not limited to:

• Artist design fee
• Artist labor
• Paint and materials
• Surface preparation (if needed)
• Protective coatings
• Equipment
• Community engagement (if applicable)
• Any additional project-related expenses

Project Timeline

Proposal Deadline: Saturday, August 15, 2026

Artist Notification: Shortly after the submission deadline

Painting Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (during Art Fair in the Square)

The mural must be completed in its entirety on September 12.

Community Participation

Artists are welcome to complete the mural independently or may choose to incorporate a community painting component. Community participation is entirely optional, but proposals that thoughtfully involve visitors in the painting process are encouraged. FAVA can assist with coordinating volunteers if requested.

Artists who are already participating in Art Fair in the Square as exhibiting artists are still encouraged to apply! We understand that painting a mural and participating in the fair present unique scheduling considerations, and we are happy to work with selected artists to find a workable solution.

Theme

We are seeking artwork that is:

• Family-friendly
• Creative and visually engaging
• Colorful and welcoming
• Appropriate for a public streetscape
• Designed to create a memorable experience for pedestrians and visitors

Rather than serving as signage or branding, we encourage artists to think of the crosswalk as a destination in itself—a piece of public art that surprises, delights, and sparks curiosity.

Because downtown Oberlin already features several murals celebrating the community, please do not submit designs that include phrases or themes such as "Welcome to Oberlin," "Downtown Oberlin," "Oberlin Arts District," or similar community-identification concepts. We hope this mural will add something fresh and distinct to Oberlin's growing collection of public art.

Materials

Because this mural will be painted directly on a roadway, artists should propose materials and finishes specifically intended for exterior street or pavement applications. The finished work should be designed to withstand vehicle traffic, weather exposure, and pedestrian use for as long as reasonably possible.

The selected artist should identify the paint system and protective coating they intend to use.

Proposal Requirements

Please submit:

• Artist statement or brief biography
• Contact information
• Examples of previous public art, mural, or large-scale work (if available)
• A preliminary concept sketch or rough rendering of the proposed design
• A brief description of the concept
• Whether you intend to include community participation in the painting process
• A preliminary project budget

Finished artwork is not required at the proposal stage. Rough sketches and conceptual drawings are welcome.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Artistic quality
• Creativity and originality
• Suitability for the location
• Feasibility of completing the project in one day
• Durability of proposed materials
• Experience with murals or public art (when applicable)

Submission Information

Please submit proposals by Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Questions and submissions may be sent to:

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA)
39 South Main Street
Oberlin, Ohio 44074

Email: kathleen@fava.org
Phone: (440) 774-7158

We look forward to seeing your ideas and adding another exciting piece to Oberlin's growing collection of public art.