The city of Burlington, Ont., is in search of artists to create an exterior wall mural at Mountainside Pool, as part of a project to revitalize the facility. Image courtesy City of Burlington
The city of Burlington, Ont., is in search of artists to create an exterior wall mural at Mountainside Pool, as part of a project to revitalize the facility.
Individuals or teams who would like to participate are encouraged to submit their qualifications and an expression of interest through the Burlington Public Art website by Sept. 16. They will then be entered into a competition to determine the best-suited concept.
Entrants must have the capability to oversee the design, fabrication, and installation of the mural. A citizen advisory committee has also established a list of goals for the project, and artists are invited to respond to one or more of them with their designs. These goals are:
- To create a contemporary, professional mural that is welcoming to families and pool users.
- To reflect a spirit of inclusion, community building, and belonging.
- To demonstrate an understanding of or connection to the Mountainside community.
- To celebrate the unique natural environment surrounding the facility.
Additionally, entrants may choose to incorporate the theme of community engagement, but this is not mandatory. The project’s steering committee encourages submissions from artists from equity-seeking groups, including 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists, as well as deaf artists and artists with disabilities.
Following the submission process, three artists will be shortlisted for the project. They will be given an honorarium of $1500 to create a full design proposal before Dec. 16.
The winning proposal will be selected in February, and the design will be installed in May or June. The new mural will then be unveiled to the public, to coincide with the grand reopening of the aquatic facility.
“Mountainside Pool serves as an important community hub and neighbourhood meeting place,” says Angela Paparizo, the city’s manager of arts and culture. “One of the project goals for this mural is to reflect a spirit of inclusion, community building, and belonging. This mural will add great value to the culture of our community and enhance the experience of all those who share in this space.”
