Black Squirrels on Parade Artist Call
Marysville seeks artists to design and paint five-foot fiberglass black squirrels for public art project. $240-480 honorarium per squirrel.
Black Squirrels on Parade is a public art project featuring five-foot-tall fiberglass black squirrels painted and embellished by artists. OneMarysville is accepting submissions from artists for the next round of this initiative. Marysville already has 51 squirrels in the parade, with eight more being added in October. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the town's identity as Black Squirrel City since 1972.
The call is open to artists of all experience levels, from acclaimed to amateur. Painters, sculptors, multimedia artists, and other creative minds are encouraged to apply. Selected artists will receive a $240 honorarium for each approved design and completed statue. Half of the honorarium ($120) is paid when the design is accepted to help cover materials, with the remaining $120 paid upon completion and approval of the finished squirrel.
Artists may decorate the squirrel in any manner, as long as the design is durable, weather-resistant, safe for public display, and maintains a portion of black coloring to reflect Marysville's Black Squirrel City identity. Photographs are not allowed as they do not withstand weather conditions. Selected artists will take the blank squirrel to their own workspace, complete the design, and coordinate drop-off or pickup of the finished statue. Each squirrel is purchased and sponsored by local businesses, organizations, and individuals, making them community-supported public art installations throughout Marysville.