Ms. Schroeder's Learning Space Mural​ Call for Artists

Public art project at Riley Elementary School  1410 S 800 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Proposals due:​ April 30, 2022

Award of contract:​ May 27, 2022

Commission award:​ $1,500

Project Summary:

The Glendale Neighborhood Council in collaboration with the school community at Riley Elementary School is seeking proposals from artists for a mural project to memorialize a community educator lost to cancer in 2021.

Jessica (Jess) Schroeder, age 30, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021. She was a beloved teacher at Riley Elementary School. As she was memorialized in her obituary:

Jess was married to Melanie Lee and they began building their life together in New Orleans before moving to Salt Lake City. Jess earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, earned a Master of Education from the University of Utah, and was a National Board Certified Teacher. A passionate educator, Jess believed in the capacity for all students to discover, to learn, and to grow. She was a fierce advocate for teachers, teacher-leaders, and the endeavors of school turnaround work.

Jess was also a loyal, trusted friend and colleague. She loved stories – both written and verbal, and could consistently be counted on to tell and retell the best stories. She was always on the lookout for the next great song or restaurant. Jess cared deeply about family traditions … as well as family competitions. She loved her life and spent as much time as she could with the people she loved – no matter the miles in between. Jess leaves behind an impact to last multiple lifetimes – her laughter could fill a room, her intelligence could solve the world’s problems, and her generosity was only matched by her tenacity. A true force, Jess will live on in those she loved, taught, and led. Read her obituary and learn more.

To honor Jessica, the school community at Riley Elementary is creating Ms. Schroeder’s Learning Space. The space will feature little libraries, gardens, and a mural of Jess.

Theme:

Love of learning (growth mindset, reading, achieve, success, create, fail forward)

Love of family ( family is who we live with, who we learn with, who we loved but no longer can spend time with )

Loving my diverse self ​( we celebrate each other’s differences, we make connections, we learn ​self-compassion)

Imagery Requests:

Rainbows, prickly pears, monarch ​butterflies, books, and reading

Project Goals:

The selected artist will have proposed an engaging, unique, and meaningful design for the wall. The selected design will add interest to the building as well as to the neighborhood, and will reinforce a sense of place and belonging for students.

Budget:

$2,500 total, inclusive of the artists’ fees, the required materials and installation equipment, and any required engineering.

Letter of Intent:

Each artist or team of artists must send a letter of intent to chair@glendaleutah.org no later than April 30, 2022. Include the names of all artists on the team, designate a representative and include that person’s contact information, state your intention to submit a proposal, and include links to artists’ websites if you believe you have especially significant qualifying experience.

There will be additional opportunities to engage with the community for final design. Include questions if you have them.

Proposal Requirements:

Interested artists or teams of artists must submit the following by April 30, 2022:

A ​sketch design​, showing the proposed design in context, at a scale of no smaller than 1⁄4” = 1’, showing colors and materials accurately. Add materials notes and other explanatory text to orient and inform the selection jury.

A ​work plan​, including an installation schedule, a list of any large equipment required and a timeline for the use of that equipment, a summary of measures to be taken to protect the structure, and a list of any hazardous or obnoxious materials, means, or methods required to complete the project.

A ​list of completed projects​. The artist will be a contractor to the owner, and must coordinate efforts with the builder so as not to create conflicts with the builder’s work plan. The owner may require insurance for the duration of the project, and may enforce certain worksite standards, including, but not limited to, OSHA workplace safety standards. Evidence of experience with this kind of work arrangement will be considered favorably.

​A basic ​line-item budget​, showing the major projected expenses, including artist’s fees, any engineering fees, equipment rentals, and materials. This is to assure the developer that the proposal can be completed within the budget and schedule.

Artists must ​certify availability​ between a start date and a completion date to be determined in post-award negotiation.

At least one client or professional ​reference​.

Artists may be asked to sit for an ​interview​ with the selection panel

Optional: A portfolio of completed work, including color photographs of at least one large-scale publicly visible project for which at least one team-member was the lead artist.
Deliver proposals, no later than April 30, 2022, in PDF format, to:

Turner Bitton
Chairman
Glendale Neighborhood Council
chair@glendaleutah.org
(801) 564-3860

Proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee, which will include representatives of Riley Elementary School, Glendale Neighborhood Council, and the community.