The Crosswalk Canvas – A Rotating Downtown Salisbury Art Initiative

Salisbury, Maryland – Mayor Randy Taylor has announced plans to repaint the crosswalks at the intersection of South Division Street and West/East Market Street as part of a broader initiative to maintain neutrality in public spaces. The existing Pride crosswalk will be replaced with a new, artist-designed pattern that reflects the city’s identity.

“Our city is home to a diverse and vibrant community, and we want our public spaces to be welcoming to all,” said Mayor Taylor. “However, we also have a responsibility to ensure that government property remains neutral and does not promote any particular movement or cause. By moving forward with a neutral design, we are ensuring that city property remains a place where every individual, regardless of background or belief, feels they belong.”

To achieve this vision, the city is launching The Crosswalk Canvas, a rotating Downtown Salisbury art initiative to design a new crosswalk that embodies the character, history or artistic vibrancy of the City of Salisbury while steering clear of any political or ideological affiliations. The selected artist will receive a $3,000 stipend for design and implementation.

Artists interested in submitting design proposals can find the application details on the City of Salisbury’s website. The deadline for submissions is June 30^th and the final selection will be made by a panel of city officials and community representatives from the Public Art Committee. The selected artist will have until September 14, 2025 to paint their design. Once completed, the artwork will be displayed for up to two years until the next round of The Crosswalk Canvas.

To apply and see more information on the project scope visit: https://salisbury.md/departments/arts-business-culture/public-art/crosswalkcanvas.

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Launch Date: May 5, 2025

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Project Budget: $3,000.00

Location: Intersection of South Division St. and West/East Market St.

Eligibility: Open to all artists, designers and creatives

Overview:

The City of Salisbury is seeking artist proposals for a temporary design of the three crosswalks at the intersection of South Division St. and West/East Market St. This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to keeping public spaces free of political or ideological influence while ensuring they remain welcoming and inclusive for all residents.

The selected design should reflect the city’s character, history and artistic vibrancy without representing any specific movement or cause. The design may incorporate abstract patterns, geometric shapes or elements inspired by the city’s natural or architectural features while prioritizing pedestrian safety, ensuring high visibility and durability.

The selected artist will receive a $3,000 stipend for design and implementation. Painting must be completed by September 14, 2025. Once completed, the artwork will be displayed for up to two years until the next round of The Crosswalk Canvas.

Application (fillable form on the website):

Artist First and Last Name
Artist Phone Number
Artist Email
Link to an online portfolio, website or social media page. If not available, upload images of previous art or design projects. (the option to add attachments)
A digital sketch or rendering of the crosswalk designs. (the option to add attachments)
A brief description of the proposed design and how it aligns with the city’s vision. (300 words max)
A brief description of the materials and techniques that will be used to implement the design. (300 words max)

Selection Process:

A panel of city officials and community representatives from the Public Art Committee will review submissions based on the following criteria: