REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR:

MURAL PROJECT AT THE YWCA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER(THE HISTORIC OPPENHEIMER HOUSE)

Sponsored by the Art League of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette

Deadline for Submission of Proposal: September 25, 2015

I. Project/Vision

The YWCA Greater Lafayette has been a part of the area’s social service community since 1929. Today the YWCA operates two primary service programs – the Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program and the Women’s Cancer Program.

This art project will benefit the Domestic Violence Program, which offers the only 24-hour emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault that is approved by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) in our six-county area. The counties served are Tippecanoe, Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Warren and White. Each year the YWCA provides safe, emergency shelter for more than 250 victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, as well as more than 200 of their minor children, who are secondary victims and who must flee with them. Currently a two-story brick house on N. 6th St., is serving as the shelter. The YWCA is in the process of renovating the much larger Oppenheimer House at 605 N. 6th St, to serve as a new shelter. As many as 30 people at a time will share this home, which will have nine bedrooms in the old part as well as expansive kitchen and living space in the annex.

The Art League supports educational and fund raising activities, exhibitions, acquisitions and programs of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. The Art League provides members with the opportunity for individual, creative, and artistic experiences, and fosters art and artists in the community.

A community outreach mural project was accomplished at LARA during each of the past two years. For 2015-16, the Art League has chosen to provide financial and technical support for a mural project at the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter

Project Goals:

The goal of this project is to create a vine and floral mural which winds up the iconic spiral staircase and spreads along the second-floor landing area of the Oppenheimer House, which is currently being renovated.

The mural proposed should enhance the look and feel of a beautiful, welcoming home.

The goal is to recapture the old charm of this home, which was built in 1860. The home originally had wallpaper featuring large traditional flowers. The feel should be pleasing and calming for victims and their children who are escaping violence and chaos.

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II. Project Description

The project requires the painting of a vine with flowers along the upper edge of decorative molding on the winding staircase and a second floor landing. The specific flowers and colors are up to the artist. An example would be white hydrangeas, or white and blue hydrangeas, with sunny, airy highlights, to give the entry a bright, happy feel. In the proposal sketch, flowers and vines could be painted above the molding, below the molding or both, encompassing the molding, at the artist’s preference.

a. Description of Physical Layout

The entrance door faces east and the stairway begins directly across from the door. The stairs will be refinished wood. The wall is plaster and will be painted Benjamin Moore HC-144 Palladian Blue.

First floor windows will be covered with shutters up to about 7 feet high. However, this entry does get light from a transom above the door and from light coming down from the huge windows in the second-floor landing area.

There is a line of decorative molding going all the way up the curved wall beside the stairs.

The molding going up the stairs is 212 inches long (about 17.5 feet). In the landing area, which has five doors and two windows, the molding stretches for lengths of 37 inches on a short, straight wall; 13 inches, 72 inches and 45 inches on a slightly curved wall at the front of the house; 93 inches on a straight wall between two bedroom doors; 48 inches on a straight wall between a bedroom door and a bathroom door; and another 48 inches between that bathroom door and the next bedroom door.

Total length of the wall space to be painted is 48 feet. Total area to be painted will depend on whether the mural is 12 inches wide, 18 inches wide or 24, etc.

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View of the staircase and the 2nd floor landing as you enter the front door.

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Detail of decorative molding, which goes all the way up the stairs and all the way around landing. Because this is a historic house, the molding cannot be altered. It can be, and has been, painted.

Half of the second-story landing.

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The point at which decorative molding ends at the top of the staircase.

b. Material Latex paints, brushes and equipment will be supplied by the artist.

c. Architectural, Aesthetic Considerations

The Oppenheimer House, which was built in 1860, is included in the National Historic Registry application of the Centennial Neighborhood District (in this neighborhood north of downtown Lafayette). The house was donated by the Oppenheimer family to the YWCA in 1935 and has not been structurally changed. (An annex was added to the north side of the house, and that is the part of the building that will be changed for the shelter.) Because of the historic status, the city of Lafayette is overseeing the YWCA renovation and making sure that none of the home’s features are altered. (This includes the decorative molding on the stairway and in the landing.)

d. Availability

Availability for painting is dependent on the builder finishing that area. However, it is anticipated that the mural painting can begin by November 1. The Oppenheimer House will be accessible for painting from 8:30 am– 5 pm Mon-Fri.

III. Application Submittal Procedure

a. Completed and signed application (see attached)b. Project sketches.c. Color palette to be used.

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d. Work Plan –estimate beginning and completion date.e. Bio or resume – Not to exceed 2 pages ( Artists working collaboratively must send resume or background information for each partner.)

e. A link to your web page or up to 10 digital images.f. Deadline for Submission of Proposal: September 25, 2015

All questions regarding the proposal shall be directed to Art League board member, Mary Jo Sparrow at: sparrowmaryjo@gmail.com

IV. Policies

The ownership of design ideas submitted with this application remains with the artist until a selection has been made and a contract signed. The artwork produced will be owned by the YWCA Greater Lafayette and images of the artwork may be used in publicity by the YWCA and/or the Art League of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette.

V. Artist Selection Process

Artist(s) application will be evaluated by a committee comprised of Art League members and YWCA representatives. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

Artistic merit as evidenced by digital representation of past work. Experience with projects of similar scale and scope. Ability of the artist to complete the proposed artwork within a satisfactory timeline. Evaluation of the flower and vine design proposed and the colors to be used.

VI. Site Visit Dates

Artist(s) may contact Tracy Hurd at the YWCA to arrange a site visit by calling: (765) 423-7014. A site visit is highly recommended. The Oppenheimer House will be accessible from 8:30 am– 5 pm Mon-Fri for viewing.

VII. Award

Upon successful completion of the mural, as determined by YWCA Executive Director, Debi DeBruyn, the artist will be awarded $1,200.00 by the Art League of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette.

Additional background information:

The blue green vintage vinyl rug in the attached photo is going to be used in the main living area. A similar one will be in the entry hall / stairway area.

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