​Call for Proposals for Water Basket
Water Basket honors and acknowledges the cultural heritage of the original people of this land in a contemporary artistic context.  360° murals inspired by Pomo Basketry will be painted on two large water tanks at the highest point in Middletown. The tanks are visible for 1-2 miles in all directions and from above.   Videos from 3 workshops are posted below. A Call for Proposals, dimensions and templates to scale are also found below.  Proposals are due January 31 by 11:59pm 2023 (update). 
​Artistic elements sought:
• Pomo basket inspired geometric, symbolic or graphic designs
• Elements that reflect the area’s history, people, and ecology may be integrated including animals and plants native to local ecosystems.
• Strong positive/negative space relationships
• Traditional Pomo colors red, orange, yellow, brown, black, straw/ochre; minimal additional hues. The background color of the smaller tank will be painted a kind of yellowish beige (resembling dried grasses). Artist may have input on the background color. The larger tank is currently a light neutral green tint (like seagrass). 
• Dynamic composition
• Continuity – top to sides and around
• Easily decipherable from afar and above
• Calls attention to the hill and local ecology
Please submit your drawings on one or both templates below or in another format that respects the dimensions.  The templates below are drawn to scale. 

We encourage you to print and  try ideas. The first row of images are in perspective. 

The second row of images can be printed at 11 x 17 or 12 x 18 (tabloid) these enable you to communicate to us what the full 360° design would look like in strip form.  These can be glued or taped for you to make a draft maquette and see what your design would like in 360°.

 If you are not in Lake County, you can scan and email to artwork@middletownartcenter.org, mail drawings on paper to MAC, PO Box 1616 Middletown, CA 95461 or drop off during our business hours 10:30-5 Thurs-Mon ~ and come and see the current exhibits!  We also have a mail slot, but you might need to fold your work.  We are available to assist! Call or text 707-355-4465 or email  info@middletownartcenter.org.

Digital versions in Illustrator (preferred), Photoshop, or other applications are encouraged as we will do our 3-D rendering of your work in Illustrator. Click on the image to download a pdf for print or computer use.

Please also fill the following online form or download and fill this form and email to info@middletownartcenter.org with your images. Thank you! 

View documentation of the presentation portion of each of the Water Basket workshops. In each workshop, Pomo Culture Bearers/Artists share about Pomo cultural heritage and the rich legacy of Pomo basketry renowned worldwide and unique to this region. Each workshop also provides support for Native and Non Native people in bringing their vision for the tanks forward. Have a look!
A jury comprised of representatives from: Middletown Rancheria Tribal Members, regional Cultural Practitioners, Water District board members, Middletown community members, Middletown Area Merchants Association and Town Hall, and MAC artistic staff will assess proposals and select 2-3 proposals for each tank to move to public input.
Semi Finalists receive $300 each to work with MAC staff to prepare 3-D mock ups for public input 

Public Input: Mockups and maquettes of selected proposals will be displayed at MAC, at the Tribal Office and/or Casino, and at the monthly public meeting of the Middletown Area Town Hall, Middletown Merchants Association, and at the Water District office sometime between Jan and Feb TBD.

Following public input, final selections will be made by Callayomi Water District and the Middletown Rancheria. 
Artists of work selected will receive $1000 compensation to work with muralists  to make any refinements to the design needed for enlargement. Fuel stipend and lodging will be provided as needed. 

Proposals are now due January 15 (update). Technical/artistic support is available. Text/call 707-355-4465. You are welcome to make an appointment to work at MAC when support is available by appointment, pick up a template.  date/time TBD. Both at MAC.

Questions? Contact info@middletownartcenter.org or call 707-355-4465
A panel discussion and workshops on basketry  patterns, and design led by Pomo cultural artists will support the creation of culturally informed design proposals for the murals (see criteria below). Collaborations are encouraged. MAC staff will assist with technical needs to model and visualize each proposed design on the tanks. following a jury process public input and final selection of one design for each tank, professional muralists will paint the selected design on the tank.

All events are free to the public. CLICK TO READ our press release. 
What do you imagine?
Images: Pomo Basket from the Lake County Courthouse Museum, photo by Corine Pearce
Water tanks on Rabbit Hill from the east (Hwy 29) looking west;  from the west looking east, 
Sample Designs: Eric Wilder (left) Wanda Quitiquit (right) adapted with permission
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.