Main Street Piano Project Artist Solicitation
ATTENTION ARTISTS & CREATIVES!
Main Street Piano Project Artist Solicitation
In 2016 the Town of Old Saybrook Economic Development Commission (EDC) acquired a piano that was painted and placed on Main Street outside of Fred Astaire’s dance studio for anyone to play as they passed by. After a number of years, the piano was no longer serviceable and had to be discarded. Recently, the EDC acquired a new piano, which it would love to be able to give a new home on Main Street.
Fred Astaire has again volunteered to host the piano outside of their shop. They have a cover for it and the Old Saybrook Public Works Department will install new casters on the bottom to make it easy to move in and out of the shop as necessary. The EDC hopes to debut the new piano in May and it is looking for a local artist who would be willing to paint it and a matching bench.
Interested artists should submit their vision for the decoration of the piano and bench. The EDC is looking for:
• A design that is representative of the spirit of Old Saybrook. The piano should be a fun distraction to add character and whimsy to Old Saybrook’s Main Street and should incorporate the Fred Astaire logo in some place to recognize their continued stewardship of the piano on the EDC’s behalf.
• Bonus points for those who can incorporate the Say Old Saybrook brand into their design such as by including a version of our Say Old Saybrook messaging like: Say Music…Say Old Saybrook or Say Melodies on Main…Say Old Saybrook or the artist’s own creative take on the theme.
• Weather-resistant paint that can then be coated with an additional weather-resistant layer to ensure that it remains in good condition for an extended period of time.
• An explanation of the artist’s connection to Old Saybrook.
• Examples of the artist’s work, especially weather-resistant designs.
Design applications will be accepted through March 1 and the EDC will select an artist to do the work at its March 13th meeting with the expectation that the painting will be complete by early to mid-May. The commission is offering an honorarium of $500 to cover painting supplies and to provide modest compensation for the selected artist’s time. A pop-up event reintroducing the piano to the community is planned, and the selected artist will be featured at the pop-up as well as in promotions for this new Main Street feature and on our social media.
Please submit your design by March 1, 2025 to:
Jennifer Donahue
Old Saybrook Town Hall
Economic Development Office
302 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Jennifer.donahue@oldsaybrookct.gov
For questions, please contact Jennifer at the email address above or 860-395-3139
