THE ROLL UP

Open Call

The Clarissa Project:
A Public Art Initiative in Pittsburgh’s Hill District

The Hill District of Pittsburgh has long been a center of Black cultural and artistic production, home to influential figures such as August Wilson, Daisy Lampkin, Teenie Harris, Romare Bearden and Lena Horne, among others. Once a cultural hub, landmarks such as The Crawford Grill and New Granada Theatre were the heart of the city’s creative energy in the early twentieth century. Today, these historic sites stand empty and dilapidated, mere shadows of their vibrant past, as the area faces the mounting pressures of gentrification, displacement and eroding Black homeownership.

The Roll Up PGH seeks an artist or team to create a large-scale mural at 752 Clarissa Street, Pittsburgh, Upper Hill District (Ward 5). The mural will honor the Hill District’s cultural legacy and serve as a symbol of community pride.

The selected artist will receive an unrestricted $10,000 honorarium and a $10,000 materials budget. Travel and lodging for site visits will be covered, and stipends will be provided for community participants and artist-led activities.

Important Dates:

• Application Opens: February 3, 2025

• Submission Deadline: March 14, 2025

• Panel Review: March 17–28, 2025

• Artist Selection Notification: April 25, 2025

• Final Concept Approval & Contracting: May 2025

• Mural Production Start: June 2025

Eligibility Requirements: Open to individual artists or teams with a minimum of 3 years' experience in large-scale outdoor murals, particularly in Black communities. Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong community engagement and collaboration skills

• A deep respect for the Hill District's history and values

• The ability to work within the neighborhood context

Selection Criteria:

• Artistic vision and ability to incorporate community input

• Experience with community engagement and large-scale projects

• Proven success in completing projects on time and within budget

• Technical proficiency and a strong portfolio related to public art

Timeline:

• February 3 – Application opens

• March 14 – Application closes

• March 17–28 – Panel Review Deadline

• March/April – Virtual Panel Review Session to confirm 3 finalists

• April 7–18 – Community voting to select one final artist

• April 25 – Final artist announced publicly

• May–July – Community-led workshops to develop the mural design

• June – Mural production begins

• October – Mural painting completed

• November – Public mural unveiling

How to Apply:

Submit the following by March 14, 2025, via the official portal:

• Contact Information: Name, Phone, Email, Instagram

• Letter of Interest: Outline your experience, approach to public art, connection to the Hill District and vision for the mural.

• Portfolio/Visual Materials: 3–10 images of previous large-scale murals and community-driven projects.

• Image List & Description: Title, Date, Location, and brief description (if applicable)

• Headshot and Image of Artist at Work

• 50-100 Word Biography

Location:

• 752 Clarissa Street, Pittsburgh, Upper Hill District (Ward 5)

• Property Details: 752 Clarissa St is a multi-family home on a 7,010-square-foot lot.