The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking mural artwork for a blank retaining wall located at the intersection of Elks Lane and South Higuera Street.

The city’s Public Art Program is accepting design submissions through September 27 that reflect the county’s diverse populations, honor its rich history, and highlight the spirit of forward-thinking. The theme is “Heart and SLO: Celebrating the Essence and Spirit of Community.”

The selected mural, which will be installed as a vinyl wrap on the wall, will earn an artist or team a $5,000 stipend for the purchase of the art.

“San Luis Obispo is bursting with creative talent, and this is an exciting opportunity for local artists to leave their mark on our community,” according to Amanda Grieshop, the city’s public art coordinator. “We’re eager to see proposals that capture the essence of SLO and inspire our residents and visitors alike.”

This RFP is open to individual artists, artist teams, and community groups with a designated lead artist residing in San Luis Obispo County. Artwork must be original and adhere to specified guidelines. Applications will be reviewed by city staff and a selection committee comprised of local artists, community members, and representatives from various organizations.

Selection criteria include artistic excellence, originality, appropriateness of content, and the artist’s experience with similar projects.