Tucson Artists Could Win Chance To Paint Mural Near Rillito River

TUCSON, AZ — Calling all artists: you could have the chance to see your work featured on the banks of the Rillito River in Tucson.

Applications are open now through Monday for artists to enter their work to be considered for a mural on the retaining walls of the Rillito River's north bank. The project, with a budget of $ 75,000, is being funded through Pima County Flood Control and organized by the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.

According to the department, the soil retaining walls were recently completed near the Tucson Racquet & Fitness Club at 4001 N Country Club Road. The county would like the blank walls to serve as a mural.

The mural can be one unified theme or several separate themes to be decided in collaboration with the project's artist selection panel. The artist or artists chosen will have about 4,000 square feet of wall to work with at about five feet high.

Given its massive surface, artists with experience in optical illusions are "strongly encouraged" to apply, according to the project's website. The flood control department would also be interested to work with a team of artists.

The budget allotted must cover all costs for design, materials, production, transportation and installation of the artwork, as well as costs for permits, taxes, and insurance that may be required by Tucson or the county.

The winner may be required to attend public meetings to present the artwork to the community, and must meet with the project panel organized by the Arts Foundation and made up of local artists and community members for design approval before getting started.

Applications can be completed on the Arts Foundation's website and are due Monday.