Riverside Avondale Preservation Begins Search for Local Artist for $20,000 Commission
Request for proposals is now open through Aug. 20; one artist will be selected for a 90-foot public art installation on the site of RAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jacksonville, Fla. (July 3, 2025) - Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) is seeking local artists to submit proposals to be considered for a significant, public mural that will be featured in a prominent, community space alongside the St. Johns River and against the downtown skyline. The chosen artist’s final design, which will be themed around water and revealed to the public in November, will be painted al fresco on the JEA lift station at 715 Riverside Ave. on an area approximately 17 feet tall by 90 feet wide. The mural site is home to the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), RAP’s flagship Saturday event featuring more than 150 artists, farmers, makers, and entrepreneurs that draws an average of more than 5,000 weekly visitors.
In collaboration with JEA, which owns the lift station, RAP has secured major gifts from Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board, PNC Foundation and Haskell to provide majority funding of the $20,000 allotment. Haymaker Coffee Co., a Jacksonville-based coffee company and regular RAM vendor, will supplement the funding efforts by donating 10 percent of its RAM and online sales during the month of July. Online orders should use the code RAM10 at checkout to apply the donation.
The aforementioned funders, along with JEA, RAM, and the RAP Placemaking Committee, will serve on the selection committee to narrow submissions to at a minimum of two finalists. JEA will make the final selection, and the chosen artist will be notified no later than Oct. 1, 2025.
Interested artists can find full proposal details and submission guidelines and information HERE. The request for proposals closes on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 11:59 p.m EST.
About Riverside Avondale Preservation
The purpose and mission of Riverside Avondale Preservation, Inc., colloquially known as RAP, is to preserve, enhance, and celebrate the historic fabric, arts, culture, local businesses, and public spaces of the Riverside and Avondale neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Fla. The weekly Riverside Arts Market, under the administration of RAP, is hosted every Saturday under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, visit www.riversideavondale.org
About Riverside Arts Market
Produced by Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), the Riverside Arts Market, colloquially known as RAM, is a true loyal-to-local market featuring more than 150 artists, farmers, makers, and entrepreneurs from the immediate region. Founded in 2009, RAM also includes the River Stage, offering the community free entertainment through local musical, dance, and other cultural interest activities. RAM operates every Saturday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.riversideartsmarket.org.
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