🎨 Your Vision Could Transform Downtown Carlsbad Forever 🎨

Carlsbad MainStreet and POP Arts & Cultural District have been awarded a grant to turn the alley between Mermod and Fox Streets into a living, breathing destination for art, history, and cultural tourism. Now they're looking for the artists who will make it happen.

This is a commissioned public art opportunity unlike any other in the region. Four distinct mural sites, each with its own story, surface, and creative challenge, are waiting for the right artist to bring them to life. From a glow-in-the-dark wild west scene rooted in 1800s gunfight history, to a neon-lit historical tribute to Carlsbad and the Old Town of Eddy, to a Tom Bob-style urban intervention that turns pipes and textures into art, to a student competition honoring the Order of the Odd Fellows, every site is a chance to leave a permanent mark on this community.

Selected artists will collaborate with community members, historians, and project partners to execute murals by December 2026. This is more than a commission. It is a chance to shape how Carlsbad tells its own story for generations to come.

Project Goals

The murals should:

• Celebrate the unique history, character, and identity of each featured historic building and the stories connected to its place in the community.
• Highlight the people, businesses, events, traditions, and cultural experiences that have shaped each building's legacy over time.
• Reflect the diverse voices and perspectives of those who have contributed to the building's history and the broader community.
• Create engaging, welcoming public spaces that invite connection, curiosity, and appreciation for local heritage.
• Encourage residents and visitors to discover, learn, and share the stories behind these historic places.
• Produce durable, high-quality public artwork that honors the architectural significance and enduring legacy of each historic building for generations to come.

Ready to paint your legacy into the walls of Carlsbad? Submit your artist application today and tell us which mural speaks to you.