Northglenn officials want area artists to make the city’s utility boxes and traffic signals a little more visually appealing by using vibrant vinyl wraps.
Thus, the city – in collaboration with the Northglenn Arts and Humanities Foundation – is sponsoring an open entry competition to participate in a “transformative” project aimed at beautifying average, ordinary (and a little bland) city traffic boxes.
Artists will be required to use vibrant vinyl wraps at 25 to 30 locations across the city to not only “beautify these urban fixtures, but also to cultivate a sense of identity and community pride among Northglenn residents and visitors,” according to a news release.
Applications are due June 6.
Vinyl wraps are a unique artistic tool that last longer than traditional paint, said city spokeswoman Diana Wilson.
“We are pretty excited,” Wilson said via email. “Vinyl wraps are basically putting the art images on plastic sheets with a sticky backing to go on the boxes. I believe it’s much more durable and holds color better than painting the boxes.”
Artists are encouraged to submit proposals that incorporate elements of wayfinding, walkability, and a cohesive theme that reflects the essence of Northglenn,” the news release states.
The selected artist or artist team will have the opportunity to design vinyl wraps for each location, each contributing to a unified visual narrative that celebrates the city’s unique character. Designs should incorporate iconography, imagery, and motifs that resonate with the community, while also serving a functional purpose in guiding pedestrians and enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal, the news release states.
Interested artists or artist teams are invited to submit their portfolios, demonstrating their qualifications and past works, via the Café website at http://www.callforentry.org. Application materials must be received by June 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM MST to be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted, the news release states.
The city has set up guidelines for artist applicants, according to the news release.
Judging and rules
Submissions will be evaluated based on the artist’s portfolio based on four criteria: form, function, the project’s fit within the surrounding environment and the designers’ abilities to finish the project on time and within the budget.
Up to five artists or artist teams will be selected for a short presentation and interview process. The final selection will be made by a committee comprised of residents, City staff, NAHF members, and others.
Funding for this project is provided by the City of Northglenn, Adams County Open Space grant funds, and the Northglenn Arts & Humanities Foundation (NAHF). The NAHF, established in 1990, aims to promote cultural arts programming in the North Denver Metropolitan Area communities.
For additional information about the project, please contact Director Michael Stricker at 303-450-8727 or [email protected]. The Northglenn Arts office is located at 1 E. Memorial Parkway, Northglenn, CO 80233.
