Tinker Creek Mural Call

OPEN THROUGH MIDNIGHT SEPT. 10!

To celebrate the final month of the Pilgrims at the Creek exhibition we’re looking to the exhibit to inspire mural designs for two bridges along Tinker Creek in northeast Roanoke.

Reflecting on the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, thirty artists have filled the hallway of the fourth floor south of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, The works explore connections to nature, the contemplative practices of the individual artists as they explored themes of the book.

We will pay up to seven artists $300 each to provide designs for two small bridges along Tinker Creek.

But first, we invite artists (and those interested in watching what emerges) to visit the Pilgrims at the Creek exhibit between now and Thursday, September 10 to explore the themes of the exhibit and the work itself. After visiting, complete the form below, telling us about you and your experience.

How the selection process will work:

1. Potential muralists will visit the exhibition and apply, commenting on their experience and what they see. The exhibit is on the fourth floor south of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building at 215 Church Avenue, SW, in Downtown Roanoke.

Designs are not required at this point. We simply ask that potential artists explore the work in the exhibition and respond to the themes. We’ll read the applications and choose up to seven artists to dig in with us further in creating potential designs for the bridge murals.

2. A selection panel will review the applications to identify up to seven potential muralists. Panelists will include participants from the winter/spring 2025 book discussion, artists from subsequent exhibition and participants from past year’s community building gallery talks.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
A. Demonstrated engagement with the themes and intention of the show
B. Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn alongside project participants and the Roanoke Arts Commission
C. Potential to undertake a mural project

3. Selected artists will be invited to provide designs for two bridges along the Northeast section of Tinker Creek. The bridges are located at two sites along the Tinker Creek Greenway near Mason’s Mill Road: under the 13th Street Bridge and under the Mason’s Mill Road bridge adjacent to Mason’s Mill Park.

4. Selected artists will have the opportunity to present their designs at a special outdoor art panel at this year’s GO Fest (October 16-18).

5. The selection panel will then meet and prioritize designs/artists for the bridges. The panel may select one artist to create connected designs for the two bridges or may choose two different artists to Selection will be based on the following criteria:

A. Response to the Call: Appropriateness of the response to the given call. Does it meet the goals of the project?
B. Artistic Quality of the designs
C. Artistic Merit of the artist and the demonstrated ability to complete the potential project)
D. Budget

6. The Arts Commission will work with the artist to finalize the project and begin work in spring/summer 2027.

RESOURCES

There are a ton of ways to go about this. These are just a few recommendations:

Visit the exhibit.It’s best in person and it’s up through September 10! 215 Church Avenue, SW, 4th Floor South. Or, you can also view it online here.

Catch up with the Tinker Creek Project here. Watch book conversations, and see pictures on on-site creative and contemplative workshops.

Read a little Annie Dillard. Pick up a copy of her work at Roanoke Public Libraries. Or, check out this excerpt — the essay “Seeing” from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

Take a walk on Tinker Creek Greenway. There are sections in the City of Roanoke and in Roanoke County.

Read the questions below and spend some time exploring. Then answer them in your application by midnight on September 10.

A celebratory note
This project will be funded by the City of Roanoke Percent for Art Fund and the Arts and Amenities Fund of Pathfinders for Greenways. Hoo-ray for more art on the greenways! Did you know that you can donate to this fund?