On behalf of Garden Remedies Cannabis, New Art Center seeks an artist or artist Team to develop and install a site-specific mural to enhance the visitor experience at Garden Remedies in Melrose, MA. The artist / artist team will be awarded a $5,000 stipend. This is inclusive of all project development, material, supplies, building, installation and maintenance.

Garden Remedies is the first woman-founded cannabis dispensary brand in Massachusetts and was among the earliest wave of combination adult-use/medical cannabis dispensaries to open in Massachusetts. We are looking to have a mural placed on our Melrose dispensary to help break down the stigma surrounding the cannabis industry by brightening the outside of our building and showing community members three of our most important values: community, sustainability, and inspiring change beyond business. 

Project Goals

• Promote our sustainability efforts/environmental awareness
• Demonstrate our commitment to the community
• Reduce the stigma of the cannabis industry within our community
• Provide a unique and inviting piece of art to our neighborhood
• Connect with local artists

Eligibility 

The competition is open to emerging and established professional artists living in Massachusetts who are able to demonstrate artistic excellence and ability to complete projects on time. Must be 21+ and living in Massachusetts. Melrose artists encouraged to apply. 

How to Apply

Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following via Cognito:

• Written Proposal of Artwork Concept: including conceptual design drawings, and/or sketches, sufficient to communicate the artist concept.
• Description of Specifications: related to materials, size, and installation requirements and maintenance guidelines.
• Project Budget: including materials and artist’s fee.
• Letter of Interest: no more than one page in length, explaining your interest in the competition and previous experience with site-specific public art.
• Artist’s Statement: no more than 250 words in length, describing your work.
• Resume or CV
• Names/contact information for two-three professional references.

Work samples

• A minimum of three digital images of related work completed preferably within the last 3 years.
• Artists applying as a team should submit work samples of each individual artist’s work.
• Optional: Each artist may include up to three selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, web links and other related information.

Proposal Timeline

• Call to artists opens – October 30
• Application Deadline – December 10
• Artists notified – December 22
• Design agreement by artist and Garden Remedies – January 15
• Design approval by artist, Garden Remedies, city of Melrose – February 5
• Selected artist completes mural – Spring 2024

Criteria for Selection:

• An initial proposal that reflects Project Intent as described in this document.
• A body of work reflecting artistic excellence.
• Experience working in public settings and public processes.
• References provided as part of this application which will be contacted prior to final selection.

Questions about the Public Art Call?

Submit questions via email by November 22 to Rose Perriello, Exhibition Coordinator at [email protected], with the subject line “Garden Remedies Mural.” A FAQ will be provided by November 27, 2023.