EAST VILLAGE — New murals are coming soon to an East Village park — and there's an open call for artists to submit their ideas.
First Park, a lot that was covered in rat-infested rubble until residents turned it into a park and cultural space, is looking for artwork to install on on plywood boards facing Houston Street between First and Second avenues.
“We thought it was important to do an open call because our group wants to partner with the whole community, and we think it is important for anyone to be able to apply,” said Ann Shostrom, an East Village resident since 1984 and co-director of the First Street Green, the residents' organization that helped transform the lot in 2006.
The deadline for applications is Aug. 16, and selected artworks will be installed in the park at 33 E. 1st St. starting at the end of September. The murals will cover sections of plywood — which are all 8 feet high, but vary in width from 8 to 80 feet — for two to three months.
First Park currently has an art display that resembles a futuristic forest as well as murals that were previously chosen by First Street Green. The space also regularly holds community events such as theater and lectures.
Interested artists are asked to submit their ideas along with examples of their previous work. The submissions will be evaluated by the city’s Parks Department and organizers at the First Street Green, according to Shostrom.
“It doesn’t have to be painted," she said. "We have already gotten one mosaic."
