Imagine Freedom Mural Project
“From Surviving to Thriving: A Call to End Human Trafficking”
The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) is issuing a Call to Artists to create a mural design that will be part of our January 2024 community-wide Human Trafficking Prevention observance.
Human trafficking includes both forced labor and sexual exploitation. STAC’s mission is to help victims of trafficking and raise awareness of human trafficking in North Florida, particularly in rural areas. More information about STAC, the issue of sex and labor trafficking, and inspiration can be found at https://www.surviveandthriveadvocacy.org. STAC also encourages applicants to take the one-hour online course “STACPRO” to have a grounded understanding of human trafficking and avoid depictions of the many myths and misinformation about the topic.
The selected artwork from this artist call will be digitally reproduced onto a large canvas and will be on display during January 2024 and throughout the calendar year in selected venues in STAC’s service area. The power of art to create community conversation is unparalleled. STAC anticipates that the artwork will be a catalyst for learning to the whole community, especially in local rural areas, for youth and adults alike.
The artwork will be featured on January 30, 2024, at an opening reception from 5:30 – 7:30 pm in Tallahassee, FL, and then throughout the year at venues where STAC provides services (Wakulla, Franklin, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, and Jefferson counties). One artist and their design will be selected for the final mural and will be considered the first-prize winner. Preference will be given to submissions from North Florida artists. Cash prizes for first place ($1,000), second place ($500), and third place ($250) will be awarded during this January 30 reception and will be featured on STAC’s website and social media and in local media.
Using the theme: From Surviving to Thriving: A Call to End Human Trafficking artists are encouraged to submit works focused on empowerment of communities to end human trafficking and sex and labor trafficking prevention, especially among rural and underserved populations. This can include depictions of the local contextual realities that are breeding grounds for exploitation, the survivor’s journey to freedom, and images that promote greater understanding and community support and empowerment for human trafficking survivors. Images that include ropes, chains, and other physical forms of control are discouraged as the reality of most trafficking victims is that they are rarely physically restrained in these ways. Instead, traffickers use emotional and psychological coercion, manipulation, and fraud to control and exploit the vulnerabilities and needs of their victims.
There is no entry fee.
Artists may submit up to three (3) JPEG or PNG images of artwork. Submissions should be appropriate for all audiences. Image submissions must be at least 1200 DPI (dots per inch) to allow for up-scaling onto a large canvas.
Submissions should be uploaded using the Artist Application on this page.
DEADLINE: The artist will submit this agreement and no more than three (3) hi-rez images to stac@surviveandthriveadvocacy.org no later than midnight, Eastern Time, October 9, 2023.
TIMELINE: STAC will notify the artist no later than October 22, 2023 if they are a finalist, or if their artwork is selected for the show.
Questions? Contact Robin Hassler Thompson, Executive Director, The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) at robin@surviveandthriveadvocacy.org or 850-597-2080.
