7-30-2024 9:11am

Alamogordo MainStreet Seeks Mural Artists: SideStreet Art Project Alley #2

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo MainStreet is at it again enhancing the artistic integrity and cityscape of the downtown allyways of inner city Alamogordo. As we have reported in other recent stories, the momentum is now building on a revival of the Chihuahuita neighborhood. From new sidewalks and parks, the rehabilitation of the Dudley School Community Center and Gardens and now the alleyways of the New York Avenue business district, a revival effort is showing a shovel ready effort.

This most recent effort was led with grants garnered from a commitment by Alamogordo MainStreet and it seeking funding. The success of the prior efforts was thanks to passionate business leaders, volunteers and the hands on political leadership from District 5 City Commissioner, Sharon McDonald. Her championing of community cleanups and community pride in cityscapes helps to foster commitments of community volunteers and donors wanting to join the effort to make District 5 and downtown safer, more shopper friendly, and a place of artistic expression and community pride.

In September of 2023, KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org provided extensive news coverage of the kickoff of the arts improvement project of the alleyway behind Roadrunner Emporium on the 900 Block of New York Avenue led by Alamogordo MainStreet called tbe Side Street Art Project.

As work progressed we kept the public updated culminating with a ribbon cutting featured in our story Alamogordo MainStreet New York Avenue Mural Project Opened to FanFair.

Now, Alamogordo MainStreet has announced the launch of phase 2 of this project facing White Sands Blvd. the alleyway of New York Avenue from 9th to 10th Street. Work is soon to begin on the shovel ready great blocks project, but prior to that effort, the back alleyways are being cleaned up and beautified.

Now, again Alamogordo Mainstreet is seeking regional or local artists to transform the downtown's western 900-block alleyway into a colorful and historic outdoor gallery. They invite artists to submit their proposals for the creation of FIVE unique murals that will contribute to the historic and artistic identity of our downtown area.

They are seeking local artists to submit their proposals for the creation of five unique murals that will contribute to the historic and artistic identity of our downtown area.

Theme: Celebrating Local Culture and History

Utilizing Founder’s Park and the iconic Train mural as the initial inspiration for this project located at the back side of Mias Collectables located at 9th and New York, Alamogordo Mainstreet is looking for artists to work in collaboration with the Historical Society at the Tularosa Basin Museum of History to create compelling, Alamogordo history based art pieces to display in our alleyway, visible from White Sands Boulevard. There are 5 prompts to choose from:

Pioneer Women of Alamogordo
- In 1897, the first three women (Mrs. woods, Mrs. Blakley, and Mrs. Walker) arrived in what was to become Alamogordo. The two and four horse team wagons carried all their goods and their husbands came behind them with livestock. In 1899 ten women formed a club to open and maintain a library all with volunteer help from their growing group of women. In 1910 they were incorporated, and given the cemetery to maintain.

Celebrating Chihuahuita
- Chihuahuita was platted in 1900 and incorporated in 1912. It was designated for non-English speaking workers who came from Mexico to work on the railroad. By 1901 it already had several hundred people living in the community, and they even had a meat market and store. As the logging industry grew, many from Chihuahuita decided to work in the mountains.

Ranching Stories
- There are several large, pinnacle ranches in our area, including O.M. Lee’s which was so large that it had the “Omlee” railroad stop designated for loading cattle onto the train.

The Buffalo Soldiers
- These men have rich history here. The name comes from Native Americans across the plains states who saw these men’s features and pegged their nickname. Comprised of all African American men, there were about 4,000 Buffalo Soldiers who served at 11 posts across New Mexico, protecting travelers to California and trade routes along the Rio Grande.

Holloman’s Beginnings
- After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, several of Alamogordo’s community leaders decided we needed a military base here. After the site was selected, soldiers from Fort Bliss were sent to start laying out landing strips. Before there was any base housing, families lived in tents or outbuildings on the Strawbridge property.

Eligibility:

Open to individual artists and artist teams.
All artists, or at least one in a team, should have experience in mural painting or large-scale work.
Artists of all backgrounds and styles are welcome to apply.
Artists MUST state which prompt(s) they are interested in applying for in application.

Submission Guidelines:

Proposal: Submit a detailed proposal for your mural (renderings welcome) and include a 300-500 word artist statement. Murals will be on 4ftx8ft primed sheet metal panels. Please keep this in mind when designing.
Multiple Prompts: If you are applying for more than one piece, please put your design and artist statement for each piece in their own individual documents. This will make it easier for our selection team to keep items together.
Artwork: Your business name/tag name may not be a part of the design. Any submissions that include this will be disqualified. You may put your name/tag once the piece is completed in a small section of the piece that does not distract from the overall artwork.
Timeline: Artists must paint during the month of September. This is to ensure that we won’t be interfering with construction from our Great Blocks Project (for more information click here).
Portfolio: Provide a portfolio showcasing previous mural work or relevant art projects.
Resume: Include a resume highlighting your artistic experience.

Submission Deadline: August 26th, 2024

Selection Process:

A panel of local artists and community representatives will blindly review all submissions and select the winning proposals based on creativity, relevance to the theme, and how well the design portrayed the prompt. Again, use the Historical Society for reference. They want to share stories with you to help bring your pieces to life.

Budget:

Equal amounts of paint will be provided for each artist. 8 gallons per artist total. Alamogordo Mainstreet does not have the budget to provide spray paint, but you are allowed to use a sprayer to apply your paint. A limited number of supplies will be covered and you will be responsible for your painting times, so please plan to budget for your own brushes, rollers, tarps, tables, stencils, etc.

Installation Dates:

The panels you will be painting on will already be installed on site. Painting needs to be done no later than the last week of September.

How to Submit:

Submit your proposal, portfolio, and resume below!

If you have any questions please reach out to design@alamogordomainstreet.org with the subject line "SideStreet Art Project Phase 2 Application Questions."

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Downtown Alamogordo. We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals and bringing these dynamic murals to life!

For more information, check out our submission link: https://www.alamogordomainstreet.org/side-street-art-project-phase-2

Or email design@alamogordomainstreet.org

We look forward to seeing the next phase of this project move forward and will be there to support and report on the continued progress to enhance the New York Avenue shopping and cultural arts district.

While in the district pop up to 12th and New York across from Wells Fargo and check out two new stores to the district: Our Little Country Store celebrating its grand opening week open from 11 am to 6 pm, a cool place to shop for primitive and Americana decor and Emerald Market to buy, sell and trade collectibles.