The City of Orlando, in partnership with the Downtown Arts District and the One Orlando Alliance, plans to work with local arts to launch a new public art concept called Bring Kindness to the Table.
The city will purchase twenty-four picnic tables to be painted by local artists with messages of hope, inspiration, love and kindness, according to a release from the city.
Once complete, the picnic tables will be strategically located throughout the city. The theme of love and kindness ties into the Acts of Love and Kindness movement grown out of the spirit of giving and good deeds witnessed in the aftermath of the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016. The One Orlando Alliance mobilized this movement to inspire the Orlando community to engage in volunteerism, share stories and show support through acts of love and kindness.
This initiative will launch as part of the One Orlando Alliance’s Acts of Love and Kindness Kick-off Event at Dickson Azalea Park on April 23 at 9 a.m. The City will manage the purchase of the tables, delivery and placement. Each artist will be given a $350 stipend and will supply their own paint and supplies to paint one primed picnic table.
The City will provide the final protective coating in which the artists will need to paint the coating to protect their work. LGBTQ+ artists, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists, and/or artists with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
Submit a sketch concept that conveys hope, inspiration, love and kindness along with a written description of the art, or email kquast@dadorlando.com. The dates for painting are Saturday, April 9 through Friday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding Sunday, April 10). The deadline to submit a sketch concept and written description of the art is Monday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m. Artists will be selected the following week. Application link: