Artists sought for Lindenhurst village square mural project

Lindenhurst officials are putting out a call for artists to create a mural for the village square.

The village is teaming up with the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and BeautifyEarth.org, a nonprofit that, according to its website, creates art projects using blighted walls, fixtures and streets "for the purpose of instilling community pride in impoverished or neglected communities."

Officials are looking for a mural to be painted on the south-facing wall on the north side of the square. The white, concrete block wall, which belongs to a gym, is 19 1/2 feet tall and 138 feet wide, and is partially obscured by shrubbery.

In their call for artists, village officials noted that the square is used for public functions and is central to the business district, adding that they hope a mural will "foster a greater positive atmosphere in the Village of Lindenhurst Downtown Business District."

Officials are seeking artwork which will integrate with the downtown area. The mural should "reflect the uniqueness of the Village of Lindenhurst while welcoming visitors to the downtown business community," officials said in a statement.

Materials and labor costs for the mural will be provided by the project sponsors and the artist will be given a stipend that will be determined by a selection committee consisting of representatives from the council on the arts and BeautifyEarth.org.

Applicants are asked to submit a conceptual drawing, rendering or other suitable depiction of a mural, along with a brief statement about the concept of the proposed mural. The artist also may include other documentation to support the submission. The selection committee will recommend a finalist to the village board of trustees, which will make the final decision.

The submission deadline is Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. For more information call Carol Gandarillas at 631-587-3696.

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.