Mesa Verde Association, in partnership with Mesa Verde National Park, invites artists to submit proposals for a new mural at the Knife Edge Café, located in the Morefield Village/Campground area. This project will enhance the café’s welcoming atmosphere and reflect the spirit of Mesa Verde and its surrounding communities.
Cultural Framing
Mesa Verde is a homeland for the 27 Pueblos and Tribes affiliated with sacred connections. For these communities, connections to the land, plants, animals, and ancestors are ongoing and living—not something of the past. The Knife Edge Café mural is envisioned as a celebration of these deep ties and a reflection of how art can sustain community, spark dialogue, and welcome visitors into a space rooted in cultural continuity. Artists are encouraged to honor these relationships while also drawing inspiration from the beauty and ecology of the Mesa Verde landscape.
Project Overview
The mural will be installed on an interior wall at the Knife Edge Café. This highly visible location offers a unique opportunity to create artwork that resonates with visitors from around the world while celebrating the cultural and natural significance of this place.
Themes to consider include:
- The enduring connections of the 27 Pueblos and Tribes affiliated with Mesa Verde
- The beauty and ecology of the Mesa Verde landscape
- The idea of gathering, sharing, and sustaining community
Eligibility
- Open to individual artists or artist teams.
- Experience with murals or large-scale artwork is strongly preferred.
- Submissions from local and regional artists are encouraged.
Budget
Please provide a proposed estimate, which includes artist fees, materials, travel, and installation costs. The Knife Edge Café wall that will house the mural is 576 square feet.
Timeline
- Call opens: October 1, 2025
- Submission deadline: November 15, 2025
- Artist selection announced: December 15, 2025
- Design development: January – March, 2026
- Installation period: April – June, 2026
- Completion target: July 1, 2026
Application Requirements
Submissions should include:
- Artist statement describing your interest and approach to this project.
- Resume or CV (for individuals or each team member).
- Portfolio Samples: Up to 10 images of past work, including but not limited to murals, large scale public art, and/or relevant public art.
- Preliminary concept (a short, written description; sketches encouraged).
- Budget outline (artist fees, materials, travel, and installation costs).
- References from at least one prior project (optional but helpful).
Submission Instructions
Submit all required materials by November 15, 2025 to: admin@mesaverde.org
Questions may be directed to:
Sarah Rank, Mesa Verde Association Executive Director, admin@mesaverde.org , (970)529-4647
Selection Process
A review committee including representatives from Mesa Verde Association, Mesa Verde National Park, and community partners will evaluate submissions based on:
- Artistic merit and originality
- Connection to the themes and values of Mesa Verde
- Feasibility of proposal
- Demonstrated experience with large-scale/public art
Additional Information
The selected artist will enter into a contract with Mesa Verde Association. The artist will retain copyright of the mural but grant Mesa Verde Association and Mesa Verde National Park permission to use images of the artwork for publicity, product development, and documentation.
Artist’s not selected for this Knife Edge Café mural, may be considered for other art projects at Mesa Verde National Park. Upcoming projects may include murals for new museum exhibits, artwork for wayside panels, and more.
We invite you to share your creativity and help make the Knife Edge Café a space that inspires connection, reflection, and community.