Creative Outlets Application Page 

Town of Lyons
Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission
PO Box 49 Lyons, CO 80540

Call Type: Public Art

Eligibility: Regional

State: Colorado

Entry Deadline: Spring 2024!

Honorarium: $1,250

Contact email: Priscilla Cohan pcohan@townoflyons.com, 303-823-6622, ext. 66

 Requirements:

  • Media: 4-5 images of the proposed design
  • Letter of Interest

Will Overview

The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) will continue the Creative Outlets program to enhance the community through art in public places. The program goal is to bring beauty to unexpected places through painting utility boxes. Artists interested in being a part of this exciting program can visit Town of Lyons Creative Outlets webpage. 

Details

Designs should be original to the artist or of the artist’s original style, designs should be busy, and designs should be picture based, not word based. Designs must be appropriate for all ages, and the Town will not accept any designs that include logos, copyrighted or trademarked images, advertisements, political, commercial, religious, sexual symbols, themes or messages. The cabinets are functioning pieces of equipment and should be treated as such. Designs and color schemes should not interfere with signage on the box, the ability to open the box, or interfere with any function of the transformer cabinet itself. As the utility box is in a public setting and can be seen by residents in the neighborhood, so earth tone and natural palettes are required. 

This call is open to all artists or teams of artists regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation or mental or physical handicap. Artists are not required to have previous experience in public art. The deadline for submissions for the next round will be announced in Spring 2024. The online application link can be found below.

Compensation

Compensation for painting the selected utility box is $1,250; $750 upon acceptance and signing of the agreement and $500 upon completion. Materials, including primer, professional paint, and anti-graffiti coating, are to be provided by the artist. This project is funded by the Town of Lyons and the Lyons Community Foundation.

Utility Box Information - 2023

Click an image to expand.

Front View

creativeoutlet2023-3

Side View

creativeoutlet2023-1

Utility Box Information: 

  • Boxes measurements vary in 2023 the measurements were as follows: 
    •  62 inches wide by 36  inches high on the largest side (The back is slightly shorter at 33 inches high)
    • 62 inches wide with 18 inches on the top
    • 35 inches high and 18 inches wide 
    • Material is Metal
    • The bottom of the box has some corrosion and will need to be stripped, which may add some extra effort
    • Transformer Location:  
       The box is located at the Lyons Post office at 305 Railroad Ave, Lyons, CO 80540. 
      The box is near the exit of the Post Office on Railroad Avenue.

    Application Materials
    All materials must be submitted through the online application form - see link below.
     
    Letter of interest:     1-page maximum, uploaded as PDF, of information you deem pertinent to the selection committee. What is your experience with public art? Murals? What is your inspiration for the project? Have you participated in a project like this before?

    Design Mock-up: Using the dimensions from the box, create a mock-up of the design that you would paint on the utility box. You may use the template below or one similar for your design, or, upload 4 to 5 images depicting each side as you plan to paint them. Design Template >>

    Selection Process
    A selection committee will be comprised of LAHC members. Upon selection, the design will be reviewed by the Town Administrator, who has final approval of selection. 

    Contract
    When final selection of the artist/team and their design is made and approval is given by all involved parties, a contract will be signed between the artist/team and the Town of Lyons. All finished work shall be faithful to the approved design, concepts, drawings, and budget as approved by the LAHC and the Town of Lyons. Progress reports and payments will be made as contracted, with final payment made upon completion and acceptance by the Town of Lyons.

    Please review the Contract before submitting an application. 

    Timeline
  • Application deadline: Spring 2024
  • Decisions made: At the following LAHC meeting -  this is a public meeting should applicants wish to attend.
  • Notification of selected artist: TBD
  • Artwork installed no later than: TBD
  • Submit Your Application


All materials must be submitted through the following online form:

 

Creative Outlets Application >> 

Questions?


Priscilla Cohan, LAHC Staff Liaison

pcohan@townoflyons.com, or 303-823-6622, ext. 66