The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum is calling for mural designers to brighten up the exterior wall of the Westbourne Oval Stadium.
The Westbourne Oval stadium is the home to Eastern Province Athletics. The stadium also hosts numerous cycling and soccer events. This historic centre of sports excellence has been in existence for over a hundred years. In July 1899 the foundation stone was laid honouring a request to the then Town Council from the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club to convert the area into a cycling track. In the 1930s the stadium was upgraded to host professional athletics and cycle competitions.
The Westbourne Oval is situated in the historic suburb of Richmond Hill. This area has become known for a unique restaurant culture with numerous fun and exciting places to dine out at. The area also sports a strong creative culture.
In recent years the Richmond community has been uplifted by the Richmond Hill Special Rates Association. The Richmond Hill SRA sponsored to paint the Westbourne Oval wall white in preparation for the new murals. The SRA supports the beautiful, diverse and vibrant community of Richmond Hill.
The call-out is open to all artists 18 years or older as of 1 January 2023 living and working in Gqeberha. Each mural artist can submit a maximum of three designs for selection. Entries must be the ORIGINAL WORK of the artist. Artists are asked to submit a design for a 6 to 12-meter section of the Westbourne Oval wall. The height of the wall is between 2m and 1.8m.
Preference will be given to designs that reflect both the sporting, restaurant, and arty culture of Richmond Hill.
For consideration each artist must email digital submissions to nmm.artmuseum1956@gmail.com by 18 June 2023. An email may be sent for each design.
Each submission must include: The artists Full name, contact number and ID number and street address. The CV of the artist. (5 or less) Digital images of each design. Each artist must submit a maximum of five high-resolution images per entry. Maximum 500-word motivation for the designs to be considered.
The selection panel will include representatives from the Athletics, Cycling and Soccer community currently using the venue, Richmond Hill SRA and Nelson Mandela Bay Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Directorate.
Final Selection For Mural: Selected artists must be ready and able to start work on the Mural before 30 June 2023.
Prize Money: Three selected mural artists will receive R 15 000 each to complete the mural. Materials and supplies will be provided.
Contact Emma O’Brien, Assistant Director, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum on 041 506 2000 or 079 490 0690
Email: artmuseum@mandelametro.gov.za