Southside Gardens Community Park Mural Project
Application and Frequently Asked Questions
Application Deadline
May 30, 2026
Raise Up, working alongside FireFish Arts, is seeking proposals for a significant public art installation at South Lorain Community Park in Ohio. This project features a permanent triptych—a series of three distinct yet connected artworks—digitally rendered onto durable metal panels. The initiative aims to honor the unique heritage, traditions, and lived experiences of South Lorain while showcasing the community’s enduring spirit and pride.
About the Local Community: South Lorain is a diverse and spirited neighborhood with a rich history shaped by its multi-generational immigrant population and strong cultural bonds.
We invite artists to submit designs that are meaningful and deeply resonate with the history and people of this area.
Selected artists will develop original designs for one of three individual 4 ft x 8 ft panels.
APPLICATION BELOW
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The application deadline is May 30, 2026
Who can apply?
Any artist may apply. Preference is given to Lorain artists with a connection to South Lorain. Artists creating art in any 2D media and at all career stages—from emerging to professional—are encouraged to apply. Three artists will be selected to produce the final mural - one artist designing one panel each.
What does “artists in all 2D media” mean? Artists working in any two-dimensional medium including digital art, painting, drawing, photography, collage, ink, marker, etc. are encouraged to apply. Final murals will be digitally reproduced and printed on 4 ft x 8 ft panels.
Why three artists? Our goal is to expand opportunities for local artists and to reflect multiple perspectives through a unified triptych.
Do I need mural experience? No. Focus is on composition and large-scale readability.
Can one artist design all three panels? Yes. Artists may apply for one, all three, or as a team. The design fee per panel is $1,000.
How will the individual designs work together? Theme unifies the work. Artists will collaborate after selection to align presentation.
What do I submit? A completed application, samples, and a concept must be submitted by May 30, 2026. Final work comes after selection. The link to the application is above on this page.
What happens if I am selected? Selected artists will meet with Raise Up and FireFish Arts and finalize their work, which is then photographed by our photographer, digitally printed, and professionally installed.
Who selects artists? Raise Up selects the artists for this project. FireFish Arts manages the process, but has no role in artist selection.
A public unveiling of the completed and installed mural will take place in late summer 2026.
Contact
admin@firefisharts.org
Funding for this project is provided by the Community Foundation of Lorain County