Preston Underpass Mural Callout

Preston Street BIA - Mural Commission

Heritage Background Mural, Preston Underpass

Submissions are due by January 10, 2025 at 5:00pm 

Contact: info@prestonstreet.com

Project Overview

Ottawa’s Little Italy has a rich heritage, deeply rooted in the spirit and perseverance of early Italian-Canadian business owners who shaped the vibrant and flourishing community we cherish today. The Preston Street BIA invites talented artists to submit proposals for the new Preston Street underpass, to be painted in spring of 2025. This mural will act as a background to the existing heritage mural project, which tells the historical story and timeline of how Little Italy came to be, celebrating the cultural, social, and economic contributions of its founding business owners and residents. 

Project Details

  • Location: Inner walls of the Queensway underpass on Preston Street in Ottawa’s Little Italy.
  • Theme: The historical story and timeline of Little Italy, showing the area as uniquely situated between Dows Lake and the Ottawa River, and highlighting key historical themes and events as outlined below. 
  • Mural Size: Two wall spaces, approximately 150 ft. by 20 ft. each, keeping the theme consistent on both sides. 
  • Budget: A total budget of $30,000 has been allocated for this project, which includes artist fees, design fees, materials, and other related expenses. Lift rental can be billed to the Preston Street BIA. This budget reflects the need for a background mural that complements rather than overwhelms the existing mural panel project, as detailed below. 
  • Deadline for Submission: January 10, 2025 at 5:00pm
  • Project Timeline: The mural must be completed by June 1st, 2025.

Scope of Work 

The commissioned artist will be responsible for creating a mural that complements and acts as a background to the existing heritage mural panel project, which showcases the history of prominent Italian-Canadian families and business owners. The design should emphasize large iconography and colour blocks rather than small, intricate details to avoid overwhelming the existing mural panels. The background mural should incorporate some of, but is not limited to, the following concepts: 

  • Depicts the history of Little Italy from its early days to the present, focusing on the contributions of business owners and founding families.
  • Shows the area as uniquely situated between Dows Lake and the Ottawa River.
  • Includes portraits or representations of some notable area elements. These could include new and old rail transportation, references to Pier 21, people and places, the Heritage Portal Archway, St. Anthony’s Church and other area elements. 
  • Includes some Preston Street BIA branding and visual elements such as “Corso Italia”, “Little Italy”, “Preston Street BIA” and BIA brand colours. 
  • Uses vibrant and enduring materials that can withstand the outdoor environment and ensure the mural's longevity.
  • Engages the community and resonates with residents and business owners.

Submission Guidelines

Artists interested in this project are invited to submit their proposals by January 10, 2025 to info@prestonstreet.com. Proposals should include:

  • A portfolio of previous work and two references.
  • A brief mural concept or preliminary design, which can include a written description, sketches, or digital renderings. Please note that a finalized design or fully developed concept is not required to apply.
  • A budget breakdown, including artist fees, materials, and other expenses.
  • A timeline for completion.

We look forward to receiving inspiring and thoughtful proposals that will bring the history of Little Italy to life through public art. For any questions or additional information, please contact Lindsay Childerhose at info@prestonstreet.com.

We understand and appreciate that the history of Ottawa’s Little Italy is vast and complex. We invite you to schedule a call with us to learn more or answer any questions related to this project prior to submitting your proposal. To do so, email info@prestonstreet.com.

Final Word

This callout is an invitation to artists to become part of Little Italy's rich tapestry by contributing their talent and vision to this meaningful project. We are excited to collaborate with an artist who can capture the essence of our community's heritage and contribute to the heritage mural project which will be cherished for years to come.