Call for Artists (RFP)

Community Pride Mural Initiative

Hosted by churches of the Keystone Conference, United Church of Christ

Theme

Come, Let Us Join Our Lights Together

Mission

This project celebrates the dignity of LGBTQIA+ people and affirms that communities thrive when LGBTQIA+ people and the wider community are able to live and flourish together.

Context

At this moment in our country, LGBTQIA+ people, especially transgender people, are often portrayed in ways that stir fear and misunderstanding. Narratives about bathrooms, schools, sports, and public life are used to direct suspicion toward LGBTQIA+ neighbors and to suggest that they are somehow a threat to families or communities.

These portrayals divide communities and obscure a simple truth: LGBTQIA+ people are our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. This project invites communities to reclaim freedom and liberty for all people to live with dignity, participate fully in community life, and build stronger neighborhoods together.

The Project

In coordination with June’s Pride Month celebrations, Open and Affirming congregations across the Keystone Conference will collaborate with local artists and businesses to install small temporary window murals in visible public spaces such as storefronts and community gathering places.

These window murals will share a vision of united communities where neighbors love their neighbors and communities thrive through inclusion and connection.

In order to unify the project at each participating location across the state of PA, every selected artist will be provided with a singular mural template to work with and artists will create their mural design within the statewide template. This template has been designed and provided by the project’s Lead Artist, Shauna Yorty.

Project Timeline

April 3 Application due
April 17 Artist selections announced
April 20 Artist onboarding meeting with Shauna Yorty (5:30–7:30 PM)
May 1 Two to three rough draft design sketches due to church liaison and Shauna
May 15 Final design due to church liaison and Shauna
May 16–31 Murals completed
July 1–11 Murals removed

Role of the Artist

The mural artist will design and paint temporary window mural(s) in coordination with a Church Liaison and local business(es) within the project timeline, as well as coordinate one community mural event where the mural will be painted by the artist and community members together.

Upon selection, the artist will:

  1. Attend the artist onboarding meeting
  2. Submit 2–3 sketches showing their interpretation of the theme, including local context and influence within the provided statewide design template
  3. Submit final design to be reviewed before painting
  4. Coordinate and schedule painting times and dates with local business(es)
  5. Communicate regularly with the Lead Artist and Church Liaison throughout the project
  6. Paint murals following provided guidelines
  7. Follow all applicable local laws and safety regulations while on the work site
  8. Coordinate with Church Liaison to plan, prepare, and implement the community mural, guiding public members in the painting process
  9. Remove murals following provided guidelines

Artistic Direction

Lead Artist Shauna Yorty will develop the core artistic framework for the initiative, including a shared mural template that will be used across participating communities in Pennsylvania. She will meet with participating artists to provide guidance and share the overall visual direction of the project.

Community Participation

Community engagement is central to this initiative. One community mural will be included in the scope of the project and should be designed so that people of all skill levels can participate in the painting process. Participants may include congregation members, LGBTQIA+ community members, allies, neighbors, and visitors who wish to contribute to the shared artwork.

Compensation

Artists selected for this initiative will receive a stipend (amount per window to be confirmed). Please contact us for compensation details.

Artist Qualifications

We welcome artists who:

  • Support the project’s vision of communities where LGBTQIA+ people and their neighbors live with dignity, respect, and shared belonging
  • Have experience with window painting, murals, or public art
  • Enjoy working with community participants
  • Are comfortable guiding collaborative art-making
  • Are interested in art that fosters community connection and dialogue

What to Submit

  • A brief statement of interest in this project
  • A portfolio of relevant work (5–10 images in JPG format)
  • A short description of experience with community or participatory art
  • Resume or CV
  • Contact information

Apply Below

Complete the application form below. If you prefer, you may also upload a traditional Word or PDF application document instead of filling out the form.

Contact

Theron Mitchell, Project Manager
events@wisdomstableucc.org | 484-750-9659

Shauna Yorty, Lead Artist
slyorty@gmail.com | 717-507-6125