The City of Lethbridge Public Art Program is seeking an artist to design artwork for a vinyl wrap to be installed across two sets of roll shutters on a building in downtown Lethbridge.
Artists are asked to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining their relevant experience and past work and including a brief description of how they might approach this project in response to the site. Designs are not required at this stage. The selected artist will be commissioned to create a design to be printed on vinyl. The artist will not be responsible for fabrication or installation, which will be completed by City of Lethbridge contractors in 2025, weather dependent.
Program Background
As security roll shutters become more common, their visibility in the ‘after-work’ hours presents a unique opportunity for artists to turn them into temporary artworks, adding vibrancy to the urban environment while contributing to a sense of place and safety. Vinyl-wrapping roll shutters not only improves the aesthetic of the environment but also increases the lifespan of the shutters and acts as a graffiti deterrent.
The project will serve as a pilot for a potential roll shutter vinyl wrapping program. Vinyl artworks are temporary installations with a life span of 3 – 5 years. Businesses and property owners who may be interested in participating in future public art projects are invited to reach out to publicart@artslethbridge.org.
Eligibility
This competition is open to local* artists of all ages, at all levels of their artistic practice. *Lethbridge & District (as defined as Treaty 7 territory from the County Warner, west to British Columbia border, and
Vulcan County south to the United States border.)
Pilot Site
Fee Simple Law, located at 319 4th Street South, in downtown Lethbridge, has two sets of roll shutters, as pictured in the attached images. The window shutters are composed of 4 vertical sections, each 126” tall by 43” wide, spaced 3.25” apart. The door shutters are 118” tall by 119.25” wide. Included with this call are photographs of the building shutters and a diagram with measurements. Also included is a historical map of downtown Lethbridge showing the location of the site – which is still attached to the historic “Bell’s Welding” building (formerly Mocha Cabana) – as well as the Oldman River and surrounding coulees. Artists are encouraged to consider these additional materials as a source of inspiration during concept development.
Project Budget
The selected artist will receive an artist fee of $500 + GST upon submission of the final design. Upon acceptance of the final design, an additional artist fee of $750 + GST will be paid for the use of the work in the project. Installation will be implemented by the City.
Project Timeline
Call Launch: Friday, May 9, 2025
EOI Submission Deadline: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Notification of Selected Artist: Friday, June 27, 2025
Graphic designer meeting and site visit: Early July, 2025
Design Due: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 (early submission is encouraged)
Approvals and Layout: August, 2025
Installation: September, 2025
Download the full PDF for Application and Submission Requirements
Application deadline: Tuesday, June 11, 2025