WATER STREET WINDOW WONDERLAND

The City of Summerside, Explore Summerside, Downtown Summerside, CreativePEI, and Culture Summerside invite artists to take part in a unique public art exhibit that combines traditional mural painting and augmented reality. 

Water Street Window Wonderland Mural Magic is an extension of the “Winter Warmth Festival” in the City of Summerside. This project seeks to pair ten artists with ten storefronts along Water Street.

Artists selected for the exhibit will create a digital layer on top of their artwork through the Artivive application. Find out more about Artivive here. The public can view this digital layer on their smartphone by downloading the free app and viewing the work through their phone screen. There will be signage posted along the exhibit route with instructions on how to “unlock” the digital layer of the work.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Fill out this google form by 12 noon on December 15, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.
2. THEME: We invite Island artists to submit completed work or work in progress that aligns with the theme of Winter on the Island.
3. An independent jury will review all submissions and recommend ten artists who will create or submit artwork for one storefront each.
4. Images must be original work and high contrast to optimize recognition through the app.

Check list for GOOD image recognition:

✅ High contrast
✅ Plenty of detail
✅ Sharp edges

What can cause a BAD image recognition:

❌ Solid single colors
❌ Very little to no details
❌ Blurry images
❌ Too symmetrical
❌ Too much text

HOW IT WORKS

1. Selected artists will be paid $750 (plus HST if applicable) and receive an additional $200 for materials for this commission. Payment to successful artists includes the artist fee, meeting time, travel and parking, license to use the final artwork, materials required to create the work and the cost of the artist’s chosen method of installation, for example, hand-painting, printing and hanging, or adhering to the window with removable adhesive. Payment will be issued in 2 installments.
   
2. Selected artists must use Artivive to incorporate AR into their final artwork. Access to a monthly Artivive account will be available in January.
3. Selected artists will collaborate with the project team to create a new original artwork or refine existing artwork for installation in a storefront window along Water Street.
4. The project team will pair artists with storefronts.
5. The artist will install their own work.
6. The exhibit will take place February 8 – February 28, 2025.

DATES

• Deadline for submissions: 11:59 pm Friday, December 15, 2024
• Approval by committee: December 22, 2024
• Acceptance notification | First Payment: December 23, 2024
• Trigger Image Deadline: January 13, 2025
• AR Layer Deadline: January 24, 2025
• Install Week: January 29 – February 4, 2025
• Installation Deadline | Second Payment: February 4, 2025
• Notes/Touchups | February 5- 7, 2025
• Exhibit Opens: February 8, 2025

SELECTION PROCESS

A selection panel will review all application materials and score using the rubric below. The panel will choose ten artists that will be included in the exhibit.

The scoring matrix below describes how proposals will be assessed.

ELIGIBILITY

This project is open to all artists who reside in Summerside or Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island.

We encourage artists who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQS2SIA+, and/or people with disabilities to apply.

The ownership of all artworks submitted with this application remains with the artist. Copyright of the work and all intellectual property shall remain with the artist. The City of Summerside may not use any work submitted or included in the installation for any purpose without additional permission from the artists.

Any technical questions or additional questions may be directed to Lokki Ma by emailing lokki@creativepei.ca.

CALL TO BUSINESSES

Call to Businesses: Expression of Interest in Participation for Water St. Window Wonderland Mural Magic

Dear Local Business Owners,

We invite you to take part in an exciting opportunity to beautify our downtown core and showcase the spirit of winter on Prince Edward Island! This February, we’re launching the Water Street Window Wonderland Mural Magic, an engaging public art exhibit that will transform storefronts into vibrant displays of creativity.

We are seeking 10 storefronts to partner with 10 talented artists who will design and install murals inspired by the theme of Winter on the Island. What makes this exhibit truly unique is the incorporation of augmented reality; each mural will feature a digital layer viewable through the free app, Artivive. This innovative approach will not only enhance the visual experience but also invite visitors to interact with your storefronts in a whole new way.

Key Details:

• Businesses selected for mural installation will be notified on/before December 23, 2024.
• Installation Date: January 29 – February 4, 2025
• Exhibit Duration: February 8 – 28, 2025
• Participation Fee: Each selected business will receive $150 as a token of appreciation.
• Artists and Businesses will sign a working agreement put forth by the Window Wonderland project team.
• The project team will assign artists to businesses.
• Artists and Businesses are expected to work together to arrange a mutually agreed upon time for mural installation.
• Removal on February 28, 2025

The Water Street Window Wonderland is an extension of the Winter Warmth Festival, aimed at fostering community spirit and celebrating our local artists while drawing visitors to our downtown area taking place January 27 – February 16, 2025.

If you’re interested in being part of this unique opportunity, please express your interest by 11:59 pm December 15, 2024 by filling out this Google form. We look forward to partnering with you to create a stunning visual experience that captures the beauty of winter on Prince Edward Island!

Thank you for considering this opportunity to enhance our community.

Warm regards,

Lokki Ma
Peer Support Worker
Creative PEI
lokki@creativepei.ca