The city of Lawrence, Kansas, is seeking applications from local artists to create a mural in the Vermont Street parking garage, located at 725 Vermont Street next to the Lawrence Public Library. The mural will be painted on the ground-level west-facing wall opposite the stairs, and artists are asked to submit a written idea or sketch, work samples, a bio, and a resume by November 16, 2025. A review committee will select up to three finalists, each receiving $300 to develop a formal proposal, and one will be awarded a $5,500 commission to complete the artwork. The project is part of the city's ongoing public art initiatives, which have included other garage murals and the Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition.
This call for artists matters because it reflects a growing trend of municipal investment in public art to enhance community identity and inclusivity in everyday spaces like parking garages. By involving local artists and encouraging designs that reference the adjacent library and Lawrence's unique character, the project strengthens the city's cultural fabric and provides paid opportunities for artists. It also builds on recent public art installations in the same garage and nearby, signaling Lawrence's commitment to integrating visual art into urban infrastructure.