The City of Maryville is seeking artists to design and install a mural as part of its long-planned pedestrian alleyway project, now under construction in the heart of downtown.
Deanne Davison, the city’s tourism director, said Maryville is open to proposals from a wide range of artists and professionals. “Anyone is eligible to submit a proposal,” Davison said. “At this point, we’re not necessarily looking for completed designs, but we’re looking for people who may have experience in murals or large-scale artwork.”
The alleyway project, which broke ground in October, aims to transform the alley between The Pub and Midwest Bank into a vibrant public space featuring a playground, artwork, a small pavilion and benches. Three walls on nearby businesses will serve as canvases for the new murals.
Davison said the city has already spoken with several interested artists. She emphasized that the selected murals should reflect both the interests of property owners and elements of Maryville’s community identity. “We really feel like we can get someone who is going to be able to reflect the interest of the property owners and also different elements of our community identity,” she said.
Maryville has seen an increase in public art in recent years, including popular murals downtown. Davison noted the mural on the side of Maryville Florist as an example of how public art has become a gathering spot and a staple in the city’s “social media–driven world.”
“It brings a vibrancy and a sense of community when you see different artwork that you connect to,” she said. “It adds a colorful element that people enjoy.”
Artists interested in submitting a proposal or learning more can contact Davison at 660-562-8001 or visit maryville.org.
