The Downtown Little Rock Partnership (DLRP) in conjunction with the Division of Arkansas Heritage, are requesting RFQ’s from artists to expand the tablescape mural on the lower section of the Ben E. Keith Main Street Pocket Park, located at 711 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. Part of Downtown Little Rock Partnership’s public art initiative, this update will add three new plates to the mural, which will celebrate the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame winners from 2023 to 2025. Three artists will be chosen to complete the plates, along with their accompaniment (utensils, napkin, etc.); one artist per plate.

Accepting Submissions: Now – April 30th, 2025

Budget: $500 per artist per plate

Eligibility: Any artist may submit their qualifications.

Artwork Specifications:

Work must be creative, durable, and suitable for public outdoor display with the ability to withstand the elements of an Arkansas climate as well as interaction with pedestrians and the general public. The wall will be primed prior to installation of the artwork. Selected artists must apply anti-graffiti paint after the installation.

To Apply:

Please submit the following via email to publicart@downtownLR.com:

• Resume
• At least 3, but no more than 5, samples of previous work

Selection Process:

Selected artists will be assigned a year and given the winners’ names, food of the year, etc. The artist will then create a rendering of their plate/place setting. Once that has been approved, the artists can begin work at the Pocket Park.

Mural Location:

Murals will be part of the Ben E. Keith Main Street Pocket Park located at 711 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. The murals will run along the bottom of the DHS parking deck exterior wall.

Guidelines:

Each artist has a working space of 37.75” wide. The height varies slightly due to the wall variants.

• Each working space will have a 2.75” gutter between each working
• The primary plate size may be no larger than 20 in and no smaller than 16
• Place setting (plate pattern/design/shape, silverware patterns, drinkware, napkin design or other related items) and placement of items in the place setting may be determined by the artist.
• Food Hall of Fame Winners and date must be clearly present in the place setting. For example, the content can be depicted clearly as part of the plate design, napkin embroidery, place setting card,
• Food presented on the primary plate should represent the food of the In the event there is no food of the year the plate should hold napkin and silverware as if food has yet to be served on the plate.
• Design must be approved by the Division of Arkansas Heritage and the DLRP Public Spaces Committee prior to execution.

Downtown Little Rock Partnership is a non-profit, membership-based organization whose mission is to accelerate the success of Downtown Little Rock, through leadership, partnership and initiative, sustaining and growing our vibrant urban core.