Call to Artists

Community Garden Signage

"Growing Together"

The City of Orillia invites artists to submit proposals for the design and creation of four original artworks to be featured on community garden signage structures across the city. These artworks will act as welcoming visual markers, celebrating local food, community connection, and the unique identity of each garden. The project aims to enhance the visibility of community gardens while reflecting the values and stories of the people who use and care for them.

Selected artwork will be installed at one of the following community gardens:

High Street Community Garden
Lakehead University Community Garden
York Street Community Garden
Hillcrest Community Garden

THEME: GROWING TOGETHER
Community gardens are more than places where food is grown. They are places where people come together in everyday ways, and where relationships with place and people develop over time. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It unfolds through shared effort, quiet exchanges, and the rhythms of tending, waiting, and returning.

Artists are invited to explore “Growing Together” as a reflection of what emerges when people, plants, and place are in relationship. This may be visible in the cycles of planting and harvest, but also in the ways knowledge is passed down, cultures are expressed, and communities take shape over time.

Rather than focusing solely on gardens themselves, artists are encouraged to consider what is less immediately seen—care, memory, resilience, and connection—and how these elements shape the experience of growing together. Concepts may include, but are not limited to:

The people and relationships that shape community spaces
The journey of food from seed to harvest
Acts of care, stewardship, and shared responsibility
Cultural traditions and knowledge connected to growing and gathering
The connection between people, plants, and place

Final artwork should include the name of the specific garden and be welcoming and accessible, reflecting the diversity of the communities who use and care for these spaces.

SCOPE:
Selected artist(s) will be commissioned to create original artwork for installation on alupanel panels mounted to the rear face of existing community garden signage structures. The signage structure measures approximately 38” x 5” x 29” (L x W x H). The final artwork panel dimensions will be confirmed with the selected artist(s) prior to production.

Artists are encouraged to propose creative approaches suitable for durable outdoor display. Eligible approaches may include, but are not limited to:

Exterior-grade acrylic painting or painted panels
Vinyl-based or digitally produced applications
Sealed collage, mosaic, or mixed-media works

All artwork must be designed for long-term outdoor durability and compatibility with installation on the signage structure.

Artists may apply to complete one or all signs.

Figure 1. Rear view of signage showing location of alupanel installation.

HONORARIUM
The total honorarium is $500 CAD per sign, plus up to $200 for materials and supplies. The City recognizes that each artist’s approach may differ and welcomes submissions that reflect a scope and process aligned with the available budget.

ELIGIBILITY
The call is open to all artists. Preference may be given to those who identify as Indigenous and/or those who work or reside in the City of Orillia, Chippewas of Rama First Nation, or the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, or Ramara.

SUBMISSION DETAILS
Artists interested in this opportunity are asked to submit a proposed concept only that illustrates the intended composition, colour palette, and overall vision for the artwork. If an artist prefers, they may instead submit examples of previous work in place of a draft concept. In this case, a written statement must be included, describing the vision, inspiration, and how the proposed concept would translate onto the sign.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, May 19^th, 2026, at noon.

TERMS

Selected artists will be required to enter into a Public Art Agreement and sign a waiver of liability with the City of Orillia prior to the commencement of work. This agreement will outline the scope of the project, payment schedule, and installation requirements.
The Artwork shall be completed directly onto alupanel panels, supplied by the City. The panels shall be completed off-site at a location selected by the Artist and approved by the City. The Artist shall be responsible for the pickup and return of the panels from a City-designated location. The Artist assumes responsibility for the care, storage, and condition of the panels while they are in their possession and agrees to take reasonable precautions to prevent damage.
Final installation location(s), orientation, mounting method, and public presentation of the Artwork shall be determined solely by the City.
The completed artwork will become the physical property of the City of Orillia. The City reserves the right to maintain, relocate, repair, or remove the artwork any time at its discretion.
The Artist shall supply all materials required to complete the Artwork, including but not limited to paints, primers, sealants, and tools.
All materials must be professional-grade and suitable for exterior use, including being weather-resistant, UV-resistant, and appropriate for long-term outdoor display.
The City of Orillia is not liable for any loss or damage to materials, equipment, or the artwork during installation.
The City reserves the right to request reasonable modifications to the selected design(s) to ensure suitability for the site, durability, accessibility, and public safety.
All artwork must be appropriate for a public, family-oriented environment and suitable for viewing by individuals of all ages. Artwork must not contain content that is obscene, defamatory, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate, including but not limited to nudity, profanity, hate speech, racism, or references to drugs or alcohol. The City of Orillia reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether submitted or proposed content is acceptable.
The completed artwork is considered a semi-permanent installation. The City of Orillia reserves the right to remove, relocate, or alter the artwork at any time due to maintenance needs, site changes, vandalism, or other operational requirements.
The lifespan of the artwork will depend on environmental exposure and wear. The City does not guarantee a specific duration of installation.
The selected artist will be required to provide recommended maintenance guidelines to help preserve the integrity and longevity of the artwork, including any suggested protective coatings, treatments, or care practices that could extend the life of the artwork over time.
The artist retains full copyright of the artwork. By participating in this project, the artist grants the City of Orillia a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to photograph, document, reproduce, and promote the artwork for non-commercial municipal purposes, including reports, websites, social media, and promotional materials.
Any future reproduction of the artwork beyond documentation and promotion will only occur in consultation with the artist.
All submitted and executed artwork must be the original creation of the artist. Submissions must not include copyrighted material owned by others without permission and must not be generated wholly or in part using artificial intelligence (AI) image-generation tools.
By submitting to this call, applicants confirm that the work is their own original creation and that they hold full rights to its use.
The City reserves the right to request supporting materials, such as sketches or process documentation, to verify authorship if required.
There are no application fees for participating artists.
The City reserves the right to cancel the Call to Artists at any time without awarding a contract. Artists will not be compensated for proposal preparation.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Submissions will be reviewed and selected by City staff, in conjunction with community partners in the creative sector based on artistic merit, originality, and demonstrated ability to create engaging public artwork. The City reserves the right not to award the commission.

For more information, please contact:

Allie Bradford
Culture Coordinator
City of Orillia

Email: abradford@orillia.ca Phone:705-325-4530