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The Mission: To create a community mural project that will promote the creative expression of local artists and provide an enriching visual experience to residents and visitors of Calexico.
Sites: You may submit proposals for the following locations (please refer to attached documentation for pictures of the areas):
Site A. Crummett Park Public Restrooms, Corner of Dool Avenue & Belcher Street. Mural area: South-West, South-East, and North-East faces (outside fenced area). Approx. Total Coverage = 1,040 ft².
Site B. Rodriguez Park Restrooms, Corner Pierce Avenue & Lincoln Street. Mural area: all building faces. Approx. Total Coverage = 870 ft².
Site C. Nosotros Park West Restrooms, South End of Linholm Avenue. Mural area: all building faces. Approx. Total Coverage = 704 ft².
Site D. Nosotros Park East Restrooms, South End of Kloke Avenue. Mural area: all building faces. Approx. Total Coverage = 894 ft².
Artistic Theme Descriptions: Please see below themes for specific locations:
Site A. Crummett Park has historically served as a vibrant gathering space for the community, hosting a variety of events such as mariachi festivals, Easter celebrations, and other cultural and recreational activities. Its location, situated behind the public library and between an elementary school and the local high school, positions it as a unique crossroads of learning, culture, and community life. Murals may incorporate:
- Cultural elements such as music, dance, and performance (e.g., mariachi influences, concerts)
- Community events and celebrations
- Intergenerational connections (youth, families, students)
- Educational and artistic influences tied to its proximity to schools and the library
- Themes of unity and civic pride
Site B. Rodriguez Park. Located within one of the City's active neighborhood parks, the Rodriguez Park restroom building is surrounded by a variety of recreational amenities, including a baseball field, basketball court, tennis courts, picnic areas, and open green space. The park is frequented by children, families, athletes, and community members of all ages. The artistic theme for this location is open. Artists are encouraged to create a vibrant, welcoming design that complements the park's recreational setting and reflects community, healthy lifestyles, family, and Calexico pride.
Site C. Nostros Park West Restrooms. Located within an active neighborhood park, the restroom building is adjacent to a baseball field, multi-use sports field, walking trail, and the New River. The artistic theme for this location is open. Artists are encouraged to create a vibrant, welcoming design that complements the location.
Site D. Nostros Park East Restrooms is surrounded by a variety of recreational amenities, outdoor exercise equipment, basketball court, multi-use sports field, walking trail and open green space. The park is frequented by children, families, athletes, and community members of all ages. The artistic theme for this location is open. Artists are encouraged to develop a vibrant, welcoming design that complements the park's active atmosphere and reflects the surrounding recreational environment. Designs that celebrate recreation, healthy lifestyles, community, family, diversity, and Calexico pride are encouraged. Artwork may also incorporate elements inspired by the City's culture, landscape, and sense of place while creating an inviting and memorable landmark for park visitors.
General Information:
Selected mural projects are commissioned as temporary public art installations. The intended initial display term for murals is three (3) years from the date of installation, unless earlier removed, modified, relocated, covered, discontinued, or destroyed at the City’s sole discretion. The City may elect to continue or extend display beyond the initial term. Artists should not assume permanent installation, preservation, or continued display.
Up to three (3) artists may be selected – one (1) per site location.
- Artists must be at least 18 years of age and legally eligible to enter into a contract with the City. Selected artists must provide all tax identification and other documentation required for payment under federal and state law.
- Only one submittal per person allowed.
- Artists are responsible for any and all site preparations, including but not limited to scraping, sanding, patching, and/or priming. Artists are encouraged to visit proposed sites.
- Artists are responsible for all costs associated with the submission of the application and installation of the mural; including, but not limited to paint supplies, liability coverage, business license, fees, equipment rental, etc.
- No work can commence without the proper city permits and documentation.
- Selected artists will need to acquire/provide the following:
- Signed Artist Agreement.
- City of Calexico Business License and City of Calexico Vendor Number.
- Submittal and acquisition of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for the installation of the mural.
- The City may require additional permits.
- Certificate of Liability Insurance covering the installation of the mural. Minimum coverage of $2M per occurrence. The City must be named on the Certificate of Insurance as an additional insured.
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Artist/Assistant Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement
Stipend: Up to three (3) artists/projects may be selected.
Site A. Crummett Park up to $ 9,880.00
Artist Stipend: $ 5,200.00
Installation Costs: up to $ 4,680.00
Site B. Rodriguez Park Restrooms up to $ 8,265.00
Artist Stipend: $ 4,350.00
Installation Costs: up to $ 3,915.00
Site C. Nosotros Park East Restrooms up to $ 6,688.00
Artist Stipend $ 3,520.00
Installation Costs: up to $ 3,168.00
Site D. Nosotros Park West Restrooms up to $ 8,493.00
Artist Stipend: up to $ 4,470.00
Installation Costs: up to $ 4,023.00
Upon execution of the Artist Agreement, the Artist will receive an initial advance stipend of $1,800.00 from the allocated Installation Costs. These funds are intended for the acquisition of liability insurance, a City of Calexico Business License, a City of Calexico Temporary Use Permit (TUP), and any other required City-related permits. Receipts for these expenses must be submitted to the Recreation Department (“Department”).
If the Artist is unable to obtain the required liability insurance, business license, or TUP, the Artist shall return the full amount of the initial advance to the City no later than three (3) months after execution of the Artist Agreement.
After obtaining all required permits and insurance, the Artist may utilize the remaining allocated Installation Cost funds for the purchase of materials and supplies necessary for mural preparation and installation. Only direct mural preparation and installation expenses shall be eligible for reimbursement. The purchase of machinery or equipment is not eligible for reimbursement; however, equipment rental costs are eligible.
Following exhaustion of the initial advance stipend, additional eligible Installation Costs shall be reimbursed to the Artist, not to exceed the maximum amount established in the Project Guidelines. The Artist shall retain and submit all receipts to the Department. Receipts may be submitted at any time up to project completion; receipts submitted after project completion will not be reimbursed. Only receipts submitted to and approved by the Department shall be considered eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement will be processed within four (4) weeks of receipt submittal.
Upon submission and reconciliation of all Installation Costs, any remaining unused balance from the allocated Installation Cost funds shall be deducted from the total Artist Stipend.
The final installment of the Artist Stipend (Artist Fee) shall be issued upon full completion of the project and final inspection and approval by the City.
Application: Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
1. Application packet due by 5:00 p.m. on October 26, 2026.
2. Submission must include a rendering of the proposed mural on paper size no smaller than tabloid size 11”x 17” and presented on a poster board/cardboard.
3. Submission of pictures of previous mural installations are highly encouraged and will help in selection process.
4. Complete application packet, along with the artwork rendering, must be submitted at the Calexico Recreation Department:
Norma Gerardo
Recreation Manager
707 Dool Avenue
Calexico, CA 92231
Criteria for Artist Selection: The selection process will consist of a review and preliminary selection by the Community Services Commission and a final project approval by the City Council of the City of Calexico. Artists will be notified by the City if and when their designs are selected. Judging will be based on Creativity, Originality, Quality of Art, Artist Mural Experience, Artistic Theme based on location, Effectiveness in Achieving Program Mission, Appropriateness to Public Presentation, Clearness of Project Timeline, and Conciseness of Budget Estimate.
Copyright Restrictions: Murals produced under the City’s Community Mural Project will be considered a “Work Made for Hire,” and the intellectual property rights of such a work will be shared between the artist/muralist and the City of Calexico. As such, the artist/muralist will waive his or her exclusive rights of reproduction of the mural image, and the city will preserve any and all rights to archive, reproduce, sell, or give away copies and/or likenesses of the original mural image both during production and after the mural has been created. Art submitted shall not be plagiarized, stolen, or copied from any other source. AI (artificial intelligence) generated graphics, stock photos, stock graphics, and any copyrighted materials are prohibited.
Artists further acknowledge that murals commissioned under the Community Mural Project are temporary public art installations. As such, the City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter, repair, restore, relocate, cover, remove, replace, or permanently discontinue any mural at any time, consistent with the Artist Agreement.
Panel Meeting and Notification: The selected artists will make themselves available to discuss project concept, scope, budget estimates, and project timeline prior to award notification as needed by the selection panel. Artists will be notified of their award by e-mail and/or phone call on or about December 17, 2026.
Tentative Program Schedule: Artists have 3 months to complete the project after signing Artists Agreement.
| Call for Artists | NOW |
| Deadline to Submit Proposals | Monday, October 26, 2026 |
| Selection/Artist Notification | Thursday, December 17, 2026 |
| Cycle Completion | By Friday, April 30, 2027 |
For questions or more information call 760.768.2176 or e-mail ngerardo@calexico.ca.gov
Disclaimer: The City of Calexico reserves the right to change Program Schedule with or without notice. The City reserves the right to re-run the program should there be insufficient qualifying submissions and/or if there is a lack of good quality art proposals. The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject submissions with inappropriate content, including, but not limited to: profane language; sexual, religious, and/or or political content; potentially libelous or defamatory comments regarding any person or organization; conduct that is or encourages illegal activity; content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, gender identification, marital status; status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation; or information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems or infrastructure. All submittals will be property of the City of Calexico. The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to alter project scope, mural location, approved concepts, installation timing, or to remove, discontinue, or replace murals at any time.