--- title: SawMural! Mini-Mural Festival description: Commission for up to 20 artists to create mini-murals on 48x72in panels along Albuquerque's Rail Trail; $4,000 per artist. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/9c9cca00-e68a-41ff-a9d4-ec501e8bb030 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Public art organization: City of Albuquerque organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/city-of-albuquerque deadline: "2026-11-13" location: Albuquerque, NM, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: $4,000 commission per selected artist or artist team, plus a cash award for the top three selected designs. --- # SawMural! Mini-Mural Festival **Hosted by:** City of Albuquerque **Type:** Public art | **Location:** Albuquerque, NM, United States | **Deadline:** November 13, 2026 ## About This Program ### LOCATION/CONTEXT The Public Art Urban Enhancement Division invites greater Albuquerque area (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties) artists to apply for consideration to create a mural for the inaugural year of the SawMural! Mini-Mural Festival. This will be a project managed by the City of Albuquerque Public Art Urban Enhancement Division. SawMural! Mini-Mural Festival is a public art and creative workforce development initiative that will transform a 1,000-foot segment of the Rail Trail into a vibrant open-air gallery. The Rail Trail is a 7-mile urban multi-use pathway that will connect downtown Albuquerque to nearby neighborhoods, cultural destinations, and entertainment districts. The Rail Trail is a transformational initiative that will enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and celebrate the city's diverse cultural heritage. The completed ¼ mile Sawmill segment of the Rail Trail sets the tone featuring infrastructure inspired by the area's lumber yard industrial past to create a corridor that connects people, neighborhoods, amenities, and stories. The east side of the Sawmill segment presents a significant opportunity for a mini mural festival that makes use of City owned outdoor exhibition frames for a visually impactful open-air gallery that will be installed in 2027. ### PROJECT INTENT/THEME The SawMural! Review Committee seeks up to twenty (20) artists to create Mini-Murals for the first year of the SawMural! Mini-Mural Festival to take place in 2027. An art selection committee comprised of arts professionals, community partners, and City representatives will review submissions to identify artists who will receive a commission to create original, mini-mural works on 48-inch by 72-inch panels. These panels will be framed in city owned Taycar outdoor exhibition display frames which will be installed along the trail corridor, creating a dynamic visual experience that encourages pedestrian activity, cultural tourism, and community engagement. Up to three of the final mini-murals may be selected to become part of the Albuquerque Public Art Collection. A cash award will be provided to the top three designs selected. ### SITE The east side of the Sawmill Segment Trail between Bellamah Ave. NW, and Mountain Rd. NW, is approximately 1,000' long, 3.5' wide, and is composed of levelled decomposed granite. There is no infrastructure such as lighting, emergency call centers, seating, boulders, trees, railroad ephemeral, or other forms of decorative landscaping as there is on the west side of the trail. The east side of the trail is the perfect location for an artistic intervention that does not require surface penetration. ### BUDGET Compensation is allocated at $4,000 per selected mural artist or artist team. ### PROJECT TIMELINE - September 2026: Post RFQ for artists - November 13, 2026: Artist applications due - December 2026: Artists notified - January - April 2027: Design, development, and fabrication of mural panels - May 2027: Panels installed + SawMural! Festival - May 2027-August 2027: Murals on view ### MEDIA/STYLE Each selected artist, artist team, or community organization will be provided with a 48 in (H) x 72 in (W) marine grade plywood panel. Mural subject and style are open to the artists' interpretation. Artworks must be accessible and appropriate for a broad, multi-generational, and diverse public audience. Artworks must be two-dimensional. No electricity will be availability for lighting of works. Proposals for works of art that include subject matter such as the apparent representation of violence, inappropriate nudity, denigration of individuals or cultures, desecration of significant cultural symbols, political or religious speech, will be reviewed for their appropriateness for public display. ### APPLICATION PROCESS This is a citywide call restricted to artists that reside in the greater Albuquerque area (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties). Applications will be submitted online via CaFÉ (Call for Entrée). Proof of residency will be required for the finalists selected. The SawMural! Review Committee will jury and recommend selections to the full Arts Board. ### SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA The SawMural! Review Committee will select applications based on the selection criteria listed, through a fair and open competition. The selection criteria shall include, but is not limited to: - Demonstrated artistic quality (use of media, unique vision, quality of craftsmanship) - Artists' familiarity with Albuquerque's Sawmill trail and the surrounding communities. - The professional qualifications of the artist demonstrated by the supporting materials. - Ability to create proposed design within the $4,000 fabrication/installation budget. ### ELIGIBILITY Legal residents of the greater Albuquerque area - defined as Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties - are eligible to submit. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** Local - **Disciplines:** All disciplines - **Note:** This is a citywide call restricted to artists that reside in the greater Albuquerque area (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties). Proof of legal residency will be required for the finalists selected. ### Additional Requirements - A cover letter briefly discussing interest in the project (not to exceed 500 words) - A current resume including statements regarding your artwork/art education and past work - Up to 7 images of other works of art demonstrating the artist's style and ability to fabricate and install a 4' x 6' mural - An image key, clearly labeled with full name, numerical listing for each image, title, media, dimensions, and year of completion of the work ## Compensation & Benefits $4,000 commission per selected artist or artist team, plus a cash award for the top three selected designs. **Includes:** Commission fee, Prize Compensation is allocated at $4,000 per selected mural artist or artist team. Up to three of the final mini-murals may be selected to become part of the Albuquerque Public Art Collection. A cash award will be provided to the top three designs selected. ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 23, 2026 - **Deadline:** November 13, 2026 ## Contact **Contact:** Christine West **Email:** christinejw@designsw.com **Phone:** 713-305-7641 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/agreetoterms.php?ID=18027