Call for Mural Artists

The Maris – Portsmouth, NH Presented by Cathartes

Cathartes invites professional mural artists to submit proposals for a site-specific installation at The Maris, a residential development currently under construction in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

This project presents a unique opportunity to create artwork that exists at the intersection of private space and public experience. While the murals will be installed on a privately owned residential building, they will be highly visible from surrounding properties and the future North Mill Pond Trail and Greenway, allowing the work to function as a shared visual asset for the broader community.

Project Overview

The selected artist or artist team will design and install a series of murals across five exterior fiber cement panel surfaces:

• (4) panels measuring 9’ x 6’6”
• (1) panel measuring 9’ x 10’

These panels are integrated into the building’s exterior façade and will be visible to neighboring properties and the public realm.  For additional context, view the building elevations schematic.

The Maris is a high-end residential property with a refined architectural identity. Artists are encouraged to develop work that is visually compelling, materially thoughtful, and appropriate to the building’s contemporary design context.

Important: Proposed designs must be non-text-based. No words, letters, or typographic elements should be included in the artwork.

Site Context & Artistic Direction

The Maris occupies a distinctive location within Portsmouth, offering:

• Views of the Piscataqua River
• Overlooks of the North Mill Pond
• Proximity to historic downtown architecture
• Future adjacency to the North Mill Pond Trail and Greenway

Artists are encouraged to consider these layered contexts—natural, historical, and urban—when developing proposals. While there is no prescribed theme, strong submissions will thoughtfully engage with ideas of place, light, movement, water, and environment, whether representational or abstract.

Given its visibility and setting, the mural series should function as a community-facing visual experience—a work that contributes positively to the shared landscape while maintaining a level of sophistication appropriate to its architectural setting.

Budget

Maximum budget: $15,000 (all-inclusive)

This budget must cover:

• Artist fee
• Design and materials
• Fabrication and installation
• Travel (if applicable)
• Any additional project-related expenses

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to professional artists or artist teams with demonstrated experience in mural work, public art, or large-scale installations.

Application Requirements

Submissions must include:

• Up to 5 examples of previous work
• Artist statement and/or brief bio
• A written concept proposal for The Maris murals
• Preliminary sketches or renderings
• Description of materials and durability for exterior application
• Outline of installation method
• Proposed project timeline
• Contact information for 2–3 professional references

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Artistic excellence, originality, and clarity of vision
• Responsiveness to the site and surrounding environment
• Appropriateness for a highly visible, architecturally integrated setting
• Feasibility within budget and timeline
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects of similar scope
• Estimated longevity of materials and finish, including resistance to weathering, UV exposure, and environmental conditions
• Clarity and practicality of proposed care and maintenance guidance, including recommendations for preservation, cleaning, and long-term upkeep

Note: While 3S Artspace is managing the application process, all final selection decisions and contracting will be made by Cathartes.

Project Timeline (Proposed)

• RFP Release: May 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
• Review Period: August 2026
• Artist Notification: Early September 2026
• Contracting & Design Finalization: September 2026
• Fabrication / Preparation: September–October 2026
• Installation Window: October 2026
• Project Completion: Late October 2026

Submission Information

Applications will be administered by 3S Artspace, an award-winning contemporary non-profit arts organization and neighbor to The Maris.

Submission details:   [Insert submission link or email]

Additional Notes

• Artists retain ownership of submitted concepts until a contract is executed.
• Upon commissioning, final artwork becomes the property of the client as outlined in the contract.
• Selected artists must be able to work within construction timelines and site conditions.
• Appropriate insurance and compliance with site requirements will be required.

Rights & Maintenance (VARA Considerations):

The artwork is intended as a long-term but not necessarily permanent installation. The property owner shall make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity of the artwork and to consult with the artist regarding significant conservation issues, where feasible.

In the event that the owner determines that removal, relocation, or alteration of the artwork is necessary due to building maintenance, renovation, safety concerns, or other considerations, the owner will make reasonable efforts to provide advance written notice to the artist.

The artist may be given the opportunity, at their own expense, to document or remove the artwork where practicable. Any rights of attribution and integrity afforded under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) shall be addressed in the final contract, which may include a waiver of certain rights to the extent permitted by law.

3S Artspace is a nonprofit arts organization that endeavors to ignite and change the way we experience art, music, and food. We invite unbounded risk taking in both the creation of art and in the way we experience it.

Please take time to view our website, look into previously presented film programs and events, and consider our programmatic vision before submitting your  proposal.

We will respond to every inquiry, however due to the volume of submissions received we ask for your patience.