Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

SALISBURY — The search is on for local West End artists to paint the pavement. Any age and skill level is invited to apply.

The Salisbury Public Arts Commission and Salisbury Police Department are partnering and encouraging individual West End artists, groups, neighborhood associations, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, schools or churches to submit designs for consideration to paint the pavement for the four new crosswalks at West Horah and Lloyd streets.

This is the third paint the pavement event in the town so far, said Alyssa Nelson, urban design planner for Salisbury. The others have included the intersection of Kerr and Lee Street and the crosswalk from Lee Street theatre to the Farmer’s Market on Kerr Street.

“This will be the first paint the pavement event not within downtown and the first paint the pavement in West End,” and added, that it “is part of the Byrne Criminal Justice Initiative grant, one of the beautification and traffic safety projects.”

She also pointed out that “the traffic circle also related to the project currently demonstrated at the intersection of Partee and Horah, is just one block up from where this project will take place (Horah and Lloyd).” 

As noted on the city’s website providing rules and information about the project, artists may submit up to five entries, which must be high-resolution designs in the requested template, which is included in the application. Each design must fit in a 6’x25’ space.

There is no cost to enter and all materials will be provided. Application forms are available by going to www.salisburync.gov/paintthepavement.

Artwork submissions must be postmarked by April 11 and mailed to Paint the Pavement, City of Salisbury, 132 North Main St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or, Nelson added, they may also be brought in person to the same address.

“If we do not receive many submissions, we may extend the deadline,” she said, which has been done previously. 

The announcement of the selected artist(s) will be made May 12.

The Paint the Pavement Day is planned for a weekend from June through August, to be determined by the artist(s) that are chosen.

Once the painting is completed, a $500 stipend will be presented to the selected artist(s) or group.

For an application form or for any additional guidelines, go to www.salisburync.gov/paintthepavement.

The mission of the PAC, as shared on their website is “to provide a broad range of accessible opportunities for Salisbury citizens and visitors, of every age and background, to experience the wonder, beauty, diversity, and power in the many forms of art that shape, enrich and reflect the community’s history and culture.”