Katelman Train Mural Project

Type

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Location

Eastern Nebraska

Discipline

Visual Arts

Expires

May 1, 2025

Project Website

More Details

We are excited to announce the newest public art project in the city of Council Bluffs, IA. With the help of Katelman Steel Fabrication and the Iowa West Foundation, our team at A Midsummer’s Mural will be creating the largest mural in Council Bluffs!

Located along the 1st Avenue Bike Trail, the long mural will be dedicated to the history of Katelman Steel Fabrication Inc. and the railroad industry in Council Bluffs. This mural will add to the beautiful mural collection along the First Ave Bike Trail and grow the already robust public art presence in Council Bluffs.
The 561 ft long wall will be the perfect canvas for a large freight train rolling across the Iowa tracks. We will have a core team painting the background of the train engine and train cars measuring roughly 6 ft x 18 ft each. We will then facilitate 20 different artists to paint unique designs on each car.

Compensation Details:
Each artist will be paid a $2,500 stipend to complete a painted design on a train car. (roughly 7ft x 22ft) Liability and workers compensation insurance will be provided to artists by A Midsummer’s Mural during the completion of the project. Paint and sealer will be provided and artists are encouraged to bring their favorite brushes and tools. Each car will be no more than 10 ft off the ground, so artists will find it easiest to work on ladders. It is preferred for artists to bring their own ladder, but one can be provided if needed. If artists are unable to work on ladders, we will have a lift and some scaffolding that can be used at coordinated times.

Design Timeline:
Requests for qualifications will be due by May 1st. Twenty artists will be chosen and notified by May 10th. The initial designs must be completed by June 1st. Designs will be evaluated by A Midsummer’s Mural and the Katelman Steel Owner Tony Hovenga, if any changes are requested, artists will be notified by June 10th. Final revised designs will be due June 20th.

Production Timeline:
Our tentative schedule is as follows: A Midsummer’s Mural will begin painting mid-May. Train car artists can start painting at the beginning of June and will need to be completed by the third week of August. Specific dates will be determined at a later date. We will have special days when all artists will be invited to paint simultaneously as part of a mural or community festival for the public to attend. A public mural dedication will follow the completion of the mural.

More details are available on the attached pdf or on our website at amidsummersmural.com.

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