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Artist Muhammad Zaman is shown working on a `NF Murals` project. (Photo courtesy of Insight International USA)
Artist Muhammad Zaman is shown working on a "NF Murals" project. (Photo courtesy of Insight International USA)

'NF Murals' features stories of freedom & champions of change

Submitted

Tue, Jun 14th 2022 12:30 pm

Call for artists: Deadline for applications is June 17

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is seeking four artists to paint murals on Main Street and Depot Avenue in Niagara Falls. The “NF Murals Project” there is entering its fourth mural-making phase, following completion of 16 murals since 2019. Murals feature stories of freedom and champions of change in the Highland community of Niagara Falls.

A press release explained, “In the Highland community, many people are the most recent in a long line of Black residents whose presence in Niagara Falls made it one of the most important places of courage and resistance to oppression in the United States from the time of the Underground Railroad to today. These stories of heroism are documented and told at the adjacent Underground Railroad Heritage Center. The ‘NF Murals Project’ continues to share these stories and others as it relates to the theme of freedom, and specifically what freedom means to the residents of Niagara Falls.”

“NF Murals Project” Coordinator Saladin Allah said, "Our ‘NF Murals Project,’ in collaboration with our City of Niagara Falls, has been a great initiative to highlight our community through talented local artists. Each mural tells a unique story and gives our residents and visitors an opportunity to learn more about the beauty and importance of our local heritage.”

Project Specifications

Any artist residing in Western New York or Southern Ontario is eligible to submit their qualifications for consideration. Experience with public art and/or large murals is preferred, but not required. Upon selection, artists will be given a stipend for the project, and all necessary materials will be provided by the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. Artists may specify materials needed for their work. Each mural may range in size and will be executed on a prepped and primed concrete wall surface along Main Street and Depot Avenue.

Artist Responsibilities

Each selected artist will design and complete a mural that is responsive to community input. Artists will work with the project team to develop the concept of the mural and may be asked to participate in public programming around the mural-making process.

Timeline

To be considered, artists are required to complete a Google form application and submit all materials by Friday, June 17. Qualifications will be reviewed by the selection committee and applicants will be notified by July 1. Selected artists will be required to schedule and complete their mural between July 1 and Sept. 15.

Submission Requirements

Artists must submit their materials and answer the application questions via Google Form. For any issues with using the Google Form, applicants may contact Ally Spongr at [email protected]. For more information, click here.

Additional information on the current murals can be found on the “NF Murals” website, nfmurals.org.

About Niagara Falls National Heritage Area & ‘NF Murals’

The “NF Murals Project” is part of Niagara Falls Heritage Arts, the public art initiative of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. The NFNHA facilitates partnerships between artists, public and private organizations, and community members and stakeholders to envision and create public art, impacting the cultural landscape with pieces that reflect and honor the history and legacy of Niagara Falls. Learn more at nfmurals.org and discoverniagara.org.

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