This nine-month certificate program will support musicians and community engagement administrators inspired to use their music to benefit the well-being of others. Taught by leaders in music and health, the Community Health Musician curriculum combines coursework, a guided community project, and in-person exchange weekends. The program will build a network of health musicians, develop accessible resources for community programming, and create new opportunities for artists.

Project Overview Wallingford Arts & Cultural Alliance, in partnership with local stakeholders, invites artists (including and not limited to muralists, 3-d artists, projection artists, and visionaries) to submit proposals for the Mark Gingras Memorial Art Initiative. This project will transform prominent alleyways in downtown Wallingford into a vibrant public art spaces. The location presents opportunities for murals, ironwork, lighting, and 3-d installation. Wallingford Arts & Cultural Alliance WACA’s mission is to promote community involvement, engagement, inclusion, and collaboration through arts and cultural activities and events. We, the WACA team, have a vision of creating opportunity and fostering a community mindset designed to support a culture of arts appreciation, creation and participation in our town of Wallingford. We appreciate the power of the arts to build interesting, inclusive, creative and vibrant communities. We also recognize the arts as a potential driver of economic growth and vitality. Through active collaboration with artists, art organizations, and community programs, we aim to leverage arts events and 1 opportunities in the greater Wallingford community to promote artistic expression, to foster a sense of community and to attract artists and their supporters to our town. About Mark Gingras Mark Gingras was, above all, a family man. Family was the foundation of his life and the lens through which he viewed the world. He cared deeply for his parents, siblings, and most of all for his wife and children. Conversations with Mark often began with questions like, “How’s your family?” or “How are your kids?”—and he always remembered names. His interest was genuine, his warmth unmistakable. At home, Mark created a life filled with love and connection. Family dinners were a daily ritual, vacations were a priority, and he never missed a sporting event—often coaching teams in sports he had never played himself. He believed the best education came not only from books but from experiences, and for Mark, that meant travel. Exploring the world was his greatest joy. Together with his family, he ventured to extraordinary places: catching piranhas on the Amazon River, going on safari in South Africa, visiting temples in Tibet, and sipping coconut water in the Seychelles. These adventures shaped his worldview and inspired his dream of weaving art into the fabric of his own community. Mark and his wife traveled even more extensively together, visiting every continent and more than 160 countries. He was always behind the camera, capturing moments that told stories of culture, beauty, and humanity. One cherished photo now hangs in his family’s home—a picture of Mark taking a photo of his child taking a photo of him. It’s a reminder of the world he opened to them and the life he built with love and curiosity. Beyond his family, Mark was a man of service. A longtime Rotarian, he earned the organization’s highest honor and served on numerous boards and committees, including United Way and Wallingford Economic Development. His efforts helped shape Wallingford’s future while preserving its history. He championed community traditions, like the Christmas tree on the town green, and gave generously of his time and resources—ringing the Salvation Army bell during the holidays or quietly donating when he couldn’t be there in person. His family only realized the full scope of his community impact after his passing. Mark was also a visionary businessman. He founded G&G Beverage Distributors and grew it into a thriving enterprise over 45 years. His leadership extended beyond his own company; he served as Chairman of the Board for Liberty Bank, using his influence to strengthen communities across Connecticut through the Liberty Bank Foundation. 2 Faith anchored Mark’s life. A graduate of Holy Trinity School, he remained a devoted parishioner and lived by values of service, love, and integrity. His legacy is one of generosity, curiosity, and commitment—to family, to community, and to the world. Mark is deeply missed, but his spirit lives on in projects like this mural initiative—efforts that reflect his belief in beauty, culture, and connection. We know he would be immensely proud of this work. The Project Vision The Mark Gingras Memorial Mural Project seeks to transform central walkways in Wallingford’s town center into a dynamic public art space that reflects the town’s rich history and vibrant future. Inspired by Mark’s vision to weave art into the fabric of everyday life—a vision shaped by his travels and passion for cultural expression—this project will enhance Wallingford Center with bold, meaningful works of art. Through this initiative, we aim to make Wallingford an even more compelling destination for visitors from across the region and beyond. By enhancing our public spaces, supporting local businesses, and showcasing the creativity of our artists, we will strengthen the cultural and economic vitality of our community. This project honors not only Mark but our deep artistic roots and invites new voices to contribute to a shared legacy of beauty, history, and innovation. Eligibility ● Open to experienced muralists and other decorative artists, as well as collaborative teams (including partnerships with student artists). Theme Artists are encouraged to consider a wide range of themes for inclusion. Each alleyway, wall or surface could be considered individually or collectively by the artist. Of note, however, at least one property owner has expressed a desire to pursue a patriotic theme with hopes of having that mural installed in advance of USA 250th celebration events planned for June 2026. Project Details ● Two alleyways including four building exteriors and sidewalks are available for consideration. The goal is to install at least the first mural by May 2026. 3 ● Surfaces include walls, fire escapes, sidewalks, etc. within the designated alleyway. (see images below) ● Considerations: dimensions, material suitability, and durability. ● Additional elements may include lighting, projection, benches, and 3-D features (ironwork, archways). ● Location: Simpson Court in the heart of Wallingford Center. Alleyway #1 lies between 4 N. Main St. and 26 N. Main St.; Alleyway #2 lies between 50 N. Main St. and 60 N. Main St. ● Detailed measurements will be provided for finalists. Artists are encouraged to visit the site. Timeline ● December 10–January 5: Call for Artists ● January 6–16: Jury Review ● January 20: Finalists selected for rendering phase ● January 22: Meet on site ● February 6: Renderings due ● February 13: Artists Selected by Committee ● February 27: Agreements signed ● March 1: Project Launch ● March–April: Project Completion (~2 months) ● May 5–6: Unveiling/Ribbon Cutting/Dedication (timed to coincide with The Great Give) Budget 4 ● Funded by a foundation grant through WACA. ● Honorarium provided for finalists. ● Materials and labor costs must be clearly itemized in proposals. Submission Process and Requirements Phase 1: Submit Artist Interest Form by January 5, 2026 ● Application and contact information. ● Artist interest statement. ● Portfolio of previous work (minimum 3 examples, up to 10 examples and descriptions). Phase 2: Finalists will be required to complete the following by February 6, 2026 ● Complete site visit. ● Detailed concept rendering. ● Timeline and budget. ● References. ● Interview with committee. *Finalists will receive an honorarium of $750 to develop a detailed project proposal and rendering Final Selection: Artist interviews will be scheduled during the week of February 9. Selected artists will be notified by February 13. Project initiation: Artists sign a project contract outlining timeline, deliverables, and payment schedule by February 27.

We are new contemporary art space that hopes to meld media and genre. We are open to showing artists from around the world, thanks for applying! This is a general call for interest in showing, curating, teaching, or performing at New Media Contemporary. Filling out this form does not guarantee a show at NMC. While we do have a concentration in New Media and New Music, we are open to and encourage all forms of art, and hope to present all of it in a new and different way. There are no wrong answers, and very few required questions, we just want to get to know you! So give us all you got, even if you don't have something specific in mind! If you have any questions feel free to email us at NewMediaContemporary@gmail.com

As part of this celebration, we are inviting local youth of all ages to create small art displays using upcycled or repurposed materials. Selected works will be featured at local libraries and the Waco STEAM Center throughout the month.

The City of Waco, in partnership with Creative Waco, invites McLennan County based artists to submit original artwork concepts to be transformed into vinyl wraps for signal control boxes along Waco Drive and nearby corridors. This public-art project continues the city’s effort to: Beautify public infrastructure Showcase diverse local artistic talent Foster community pride through creativity Deter graffiti and vandalism through vibrant design Up to 12 additional utility boxes will be selected for installation. Artwork will remain on display for up to three years.

Thin Line Fest is a five-day multi-format art festival held March 18-22, 2026 in Denton, Texas. There are three primary festivals: Film, Music, and Photography. All selected artists are treated as VIPs at the festival and are therefore highly encouraged to attend. While the Photography Festival is competitive, this is unlike most contests you have entered. The 'festival' aspect is very important to us. Meaning the contest is rolled up into a physical event, where selected photographs are professionally printed and exhibited at one of our festival galleries. All selected artists are provided a VIP pass to the festival which offers special access to all programming.