Calling all artists

DOVER — A downtown developer is seeking an artist or a team of artists to create a mural for its building and is willing to pay up to $9,000 for it.

Cathartes, which is constructing the Orpheum Apartments building where Robbins Auto Parts, a boarding house and a theater previously stood, is calling for artists to submit proposals to create a three-panel mural. The mural would be installed on the Chestnut Street side of the building that remains under construction.

“We are incredibly excited about this mural project and feel that it is a unique way to incorporate the community into the new building,” said Cathartes’ operations and marketing director Aly Copeland. “We strive to leverage the transformative power of communities and ensure each space reflects the unique personalities and needs of its residents. Our goal is not to simply develop a new product, but to thoughtfully create experiences that engage occupants and enliven neighborhoods.”

Cathartes believes that murals can help to prevent graffiti and to add “to Dover’s already diverse and expansive arts culture. This project intends to be a bridge between the business community and local artists, fostering community collaborations and partnerships.”

Jane Hamor, who chairs the Dover’s Art Commission, is excited about the project, though she stressed the city is not involved in selecting the finalist nor providing any funds to pay the artist. The Arts Commission did assist Cathartes with putting together and disseminating the request for proposals (RFP).

“We’re excited and thrilled to be part of the project,” Hamor said Friday as she stood on Chestnut Street near where the mural would be installed. “It’s an opportunity for local artists to have some significant work.”

The mural would be created offsite and then attached to the building when complete, and the artist has some leeway in what the panel materials would be made of.

“There is no required theme for the mural proposals; however, Cathartes would like to incorporate some of the location’s history in some way,” the RFP states. “The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1912, was renamed the State Theater in 1935 and finally closed around 1955.”

Artists have until June 25 to submit a proposal. All design ideas submitted would remain under the artist’s ownership unless an application is chosen and a contract has been signed between Cathartes and the artist. At the time a contract is awarded, the ownership of the design and the artwork produced will become the property of Cathartes, according to the RFP.

The Boston-based developer is seeking to have an artist selected by July 11, and the firm wants the mural installed by Nov. 1.

To view the RFP, visit cathartes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Cathartes-RFP-for-Chestnut-St.-Mural.pdf.