Call for Mural Artists: 2026 Alberta Summer Games Mural Jam

Harvey Nichol, The Echoes of Pasipo, 2024, Exterior of Festival Place, Sherwood Park. Photo: Kelly Andres

2026 Alberta Summer Games Mural Jam

Submission Deadline: December, 8, 11:59pm MT

Strathcona County invites individual artists and artist teams to participate in a live mural jam coinciding with the 2026 Alberta Summer Games. Over four days (Thursday–Sunday), five selected artists/teams will create medium-scale indoor murals around the circumference of an elevated running track overlooking an indoor soccer field. The public will be able to safely observe progress from the track, creating a dynamic exchange between artists and audience.

This call seeks artists whose work celebrates movement, care, collaboration, and the spirit of youth. We welcome proposals across styles, from bold graphic abstraction to figurative storytelling, so long as the final artworks are family friendly, inclusive and responsive to the site.

Project Requirements

Site & Mural Specifications:

• Site: Interior perimeter walls adjacent to the running track that circles an indoor soccer field at Millennium Place. Spectators will view murals from the track and concourse.
• Bays: Five distinct paint areas (one per selected artist/team).
• Approx. dimensions: ~14 ft (h) × 25 ft (w) per bay (each wall varies slightly). Please be prepared to adapt the composition to minor size differences.
• Surface: Painted interior wall (existing coatings to be confirmed).
• Access: Step ladders and portable scaffolding permitted
• Environmental conditions: Climate controlled interior; steady public traffic on the track.
• Lighting: Overhead facility lighting.

Theme & Community Guidelines:

• Themes: Inclusivity | Timeless design | Nonrepresentational form | Action | Movement | Youthful energy. Designs that explore rhythm, cadence, and flow.
• Content standards: All imagery must be appropriate for all ages.

Eligibility:

• Open to professional artists and artist teams residing in Alberta.
• Artists 18+ are eligible; emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
• Priority may be given to artists with a demonstrated commitment to youth engagement, inclusive storytelling, ecological awareness, or live-paint settings.
• Strathcona County encourages applications from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled artists, and artists from rural and suburban communities.

Bruno Canadien, Sweet Song, 2024, Interior of County Hall, Sherwood Park. Photo: Kelly Andres

Compensation

Artist Fee & Supplies:

Artist Fee: $40 CAD / sq ft (+ GST if applicable) of completed mural area (inclusive of materials and travel).

• Wall 1: 13.33 ft (H) × 20.33 ft (W) = 271.00 sq ft ($10,840 fee)
• Wall 2: 13.50 ft (H) × 20.12 ft (W) = 271.62 sq ft ($10,865 fee)
• Wall 3: 14.20 ft (H) × 24.00 ft (W) = 340.80 sq ft ($13,632 fee)
• Wall 4: 13.50 ft (H) × 24.33 ft (W) = 328.46 sq ft ($13,138 fee)
• Wall 5: 13.50 ft (H) × 33.45 ft (W) = 451.58 sq ft ($18,063 fee)

Materials & Equipment:

• County provides wall prep (wash/prime), basic onsite tools (drop sheets, buckets, rollers, trays), step ladders, access to water, and facility coordination.
• Artist provides: all paint, brushes, specialty colours, detail tools, PPE, sealers/varnishes as preferred (costs covered within the per / sq ft fee).

Insurance:

General liability coverage provided for public viewing areas. Artists who operate as a registered business (with GST#) must carry personal/professional liability insurance and WCB coverage where applicable (confirmed in artist agreements).

Brie Adkins, Prairie Portal, 2024, Interior of Strathcona Public Service Yard Facility, Sherwood Park. Photo: Kelly Andres

Selection Process

Selection Criteria:
Evaluated by internal selection committee:

1. Artistic Quality (45%): strength of portfolio, originality, command of composition, colour, and scale.
2. Context (25%): alignment with themes (inclusivity, timeless design, action/movement, youthful energy).
3. Capacity & Feasibility (20%): demonstrated ability to complete work at the indicated scale and within a live-paint, four-day timeline.
4. Professionalism & Safety (10%): experience working in public venues; safe practices and collaboration with facility staff.

Shortlisted artists will receive a design brief and produce a concept for committee approval prior to painting.

How to Apply

Portfolio submission. Do not submit a mural concept at this stage. Shortlisted artists will be commissioned to develop designs for approval by the Selection Committee.

Include in a single PDF (max 10 MB):

1. Contact Info: Name, pronouns, mailing address, phone, email, website/IG.
2. Artist Statement (max 200 words): your approach to murals and working in public/live contexts.
3. CV/Resume (max 2 pages): mural/public art/community experience.
4. Portfolio (6–12 images): captioned with title, year, medium, dimensions, location, and your role.
5. References (2): names, titles, emails/phones who can speak to your mural or community practice.
6. Accessibility Notes (optional): what you need to participate fully.

Submit: Email your PDF to public.art@strathcona.ca with subject line: Mural Jam 2026 – Portfolio – Your Name.

Submission Deadline: December, 8, 11:59pm MT

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Kelly Andres
kelly.andres@strathcona.ca

Strathcona County
2001 Sherwood Drive
Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3W7
Phone: 587-346-9439
Strathcona.ca

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