Haverstraw, NY Historical Mural Project

Project Overview

The Village of Haverstraw, in collaboration with Haverstraw Riverwide Arts, is seeking muralists to submit concepts for a large-scale historical mural commemorating Haverstraw, New York. Artists will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting piece of public art that embodies the village’s rich history, including its significant brickmaking industry, diverse immigrant communities, and enduring resilience during the Civil War era. The selected mural design will be digitally printed on vinyl and installed on West Street in downtown Haverstraw, covering approximately 600 square feet of wall space.

Dimensions: Approximately 600 sq. ft.

Project Budget

The total budget for the project is $8,000 for a high-resolution PDF. Additionally, semifinalists will each receive a $500 fee for design development.

Key Dates

• July 1, 2026: Submission deadline for entries.
• July 15, 2026: Announcement of finalists; each finalist receives a $500 design development fee.
• August 1, 2026: Final design development submissions due from finalists.
• August 15, 2026: Final design selected.

Theme and Inspiration

Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from Haverstraw’s industrial, cultural, and social history. The mural should prominently feature the following themes:

• Brickmaking Industry: Haverstraw was once recognized as the “Brickmaking Capital of the World,” with over 40 brickyards along the Hudson River waterfront. These brickyards supplied materials for New York City during the industry’s peak from the Civil War through the 1920s. Visual elements may include kilns, workers, barges, and brick architecture.
• Immigrant Contributions: The village’s history has been shaped by immigrants who worked in the brickyards and other local industries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, including African American migrants from the South. Today, Latino families call Haverstraw home, and their labor and community contributions are integral to the village’s identity.
• Civil War Legacy: The mural can also reflect the community’s resilience during the Civil War era, highlighting broader historical context. 
• These themes are intended to inspire. Artists are encouraged to interpret them creatively and integrate them into a unified design. The mural should educate and artistically inspire.
• For full History of Haverstraw: https://www.haverstrawbrickmuseum.org/about

Submission Notes

The mural will be produced as a digitally printed vinyl installation, not as a painted wall mural. Artists are expected to submit concepts that are visually compelling, historically informed, and appropriate for public display.

Mural Details and Specifications

• Location: Outdoor site on West Street, Village of Haverstraw, NY. The mural will be placed on a prominent wall along West Street, covering approximately 600 square Dimensions: 33’.7” high x 16’ wide. This highly visible location will serve as a focal point for pedestrians and vehicular traffic in the downtown area.
• Medium: Digital File to print on vinyl – The artwork must be suitable for large-scale digital reproduction. The winning design will be printed on high-quality vinyl and installed on the wall. Artists may use any medium (digital illustration, painting, photography, etc.), but the final image must be high resolution for printing. Haverstraw Riverwide Arts will handle vinyl reproduction and installation.
• Budget: $8,000 for the final PDF digital file. This covers the artist’s final design fee and necessary revisions. The selected artist or team will collaborate with project organizers to finalize the design and oversee production. Fabrication, printing, materials, and installation are the responsibility of Haverstraw Riverwide Arts. Payment schedule and contract details will be provided upon selection.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

• Who Can Apply: Open to professional muralists and artists (or artist teams) with experience in large-scale public art. Local, regional, and national artists are welcome. Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to submit; diversity and inclusivity are valued. Prior experience with public art is recommended due to the scale and importance of the project, though emerging artists with strong concepts are also welcome.
• Selection Process: A selection panel organized by Haverstraw Riverwide Arts—comprising arts professionals, community representatives, and local historians—will review submissions for both first round and then finalists. The winning proposal will be chosen based on the following criteria:
• Artistic Excellence and Creativity
• Relevance to Theme
• Clarity and Composition: The mural should be visually coherent and legible at a large scale. Designs should consider viewing angles.
• Feasibility: The design must be suitable for printing on vinyl, considering aspect ratio, resolution, and details that will translate well to a 600-square-foot format. Dimensions:  33.7” high x 16’ wide.
• Originality: The artwork should be original. Historical accuracy is important, but artists should present history in a fresh and engaging way.
• Notification: Semifinalist artist will be notified July 15, 2026. Selected finalist artists will be notified in mid-August 2026. The chosen artist will sign a contract and refine the design as needed to meet printing specifications or incorporate community feedback. Artists whose proposals are not selected will also be informed via email by Riverwide Arts.

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: All proposal materials must be submitted to our website by July 1, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Time). Late submissions will not be accepted.

Submission Requirements: All submissions, including the mural concept design, must be uploaded through our website.

• 1. Visual Representation: Submit a detailed color sketch, digital rendering, or composite image illustrating your proposed mural. Accepted formats are PDF or high-quality JPEG/PNG. Ensure the image is large enough to see details—ideally at least 150 DPI at half size or a minimum of 1200 pixels in the shortest dimension. Optional: Up to two additional images (detail views or alternate angles) may be included for complex designs.
• 2. Concept Description: Provide a brief written statement (1–2 paragraphs) explaining your concept. Describe how your design relates to Haverstraw’s history and the specified themes, highlighting any historical references, symbols, or stories within the artwork. Explain why your mural will resonate with the community.
• 3. Artist Background: Include a short bio or résumé/CV outlining your experience, particularly any previous mural or public art projects. Mention any personal or professional connection to Haverstraw or the Hudson Valley (optional). For teams, provide brief bios for each member and note prior collaborations.
• 4. Portfolio or Work Samples: Submit up to five images of past relevant work (public murals or similar large-scale artworks). These samples should demonstrate your ability to execute the proposed mural. Include a brief description for each image (title, location, year, medium). If files are large, provide a link to an online portfolio or cloud drive. Tip: At least one sample should show a project of comparable scale or reflect historical/cultural themes.
• Inquiries: For questions prior to submission, contact [email protected]. The project team can clarify requirements or discuss the scope with interested artists.

Additional Information

• Project Timeline:
• July 1, 2026 – SUBMISSION: through our website.
• July 15, 2026 – ANNOUNCED: $500.00 design development awarded to finalists
• August 1, 2026 – SUBMISSION: Final design development due for finalists
• August 15, 2026 – Final design announced
• Fall 2026 – Fabrication and installation of the vinyl mural anticipated before year-end. An unveiling event will be scheduled after installation.
• Support: The selected artist will collaborate closely with Haverstraw Riverwide Arts and community historians to ensure historical accuracy and respectful representation. Haverstraw Riverwide Arts will contract a professional printer/installer for the vinyl mural. The artist’s main responsibility will be to deliver the final artwork and make any necessary adjustments.
• Rights & Reproduction: The artist retains copyright to the artwork; however, the Village of Haverstraw/Haverstraw Riverwide Arts will own the mural and have exclusive rights to reproduce the design on vinyl and in all related press and promotional materials. The artist will be credited in all publicity. A contract outlining these terms will be provided upon selection.
• Community Engagement: The selected artist is encouraged to consider community input. There may be opportunities for a public meeting or presentation of the concept prior to final production. Engaging with Haverstraw residents can enrich the project and build excitement around the mural.