Aurora recruiting artists to paint downtown utility boxes

Aurora Downtown is working with Aurora Public Art to bring more art to downtown this summer by recruiting artists to paint some downtown utility boxes.

The city is requesting proposals for the design and painting murals, starting in downtown.

Aurora Downtown, a group of business and property owners, has a handful of utility boxes targeted for the project within Special Service Area #One.

Aurora Public Art is looking for additional sponsors to continue the painted boxes as a city-wide project.

Businesses, organizations, or individuals interested in sponsoring a utility box should contact Aurora Public Art Director Jen Evans at jevans@aurora-il.org. Names of sponsors will be indicated at the base of the mural.

Donations can be made directly to www.communityfoundationfrv.org/profile/aurora-art-fund.

In most cases, sponsors can choose a utility box, whether it has been prioritized or not, as long as it is within the city limits. Sponsors can indicate a preference for specific artists and can refuse artists or designs, but cannot choose an artist who has not been curated into the project by Aurora Public Art.

Sponsors should direct artists of interest to the online application: https://goo.gl/forms/SiYlviQugOVRUSqI2.

Artists and their designs will be chosen by the Aurora Public Art Commission in conjunction with guest curator Mike Mancuso, owner of The Yetee. theyetee.com

Artists can submit up to three design proposals; up to one design per artist will be chosen.

Artists are to use the template provided to communicate a colored sketch proposal. Artists must also submit images of previous completed painting, and a resume.

Successful designs will be colorful and graphic. Pattern, abstraction, and anthropomorphic characters are welcome. Only family-friendly content will be considered. The complexity of the design should reflect the artist's ability to complete the painting within a week.

Artists are eligible regardless of residency, but preference will be given to local artists.

Applications and portfolios will be accepted through June 30.

Artists will be notified by July 15.

Utility box murals must be completed by Aug. 30.

All entries must be submitted via an online form: https://goo.gl/forms/SiYlviQugOVRUSqI2.

No hard copy or email entries will be accepted.

More information can be found at https://www.aurora-il.org/329/Public-Art-Commission.