Bethlehem Food Co-Op looking for local artist to bring color to new store

• Bethlehem Food Co-Op is taking applications for a lead artist to head a "large-scale" project for the store
• The selected artist will be announced in December
• The store is set to open during the first quarter of 2024

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Food Co-Op, a community-owned grocery store proposed for North Bethlehem, said it wants to provide a “vibrant and inclusive space” when the store opens its doors in 2024.

Part of that will come through a large-scale art project courtesy of community creators with a passion for local food and their home city, according to a news release.

To lead the endeavor, the Co-Op is seeking an experienced artist to spearhead the creative vision.

The organization is encouraging those with the following qualifications to apply:

• Five or more years of creating large murals and art installations
• Strong artistic vision and skills in design
• The ability to work solo and with a team
• Communication and organizational skills

Officials are asking for those interested to email their portfolios, resumes and cover letter to art@bethlehemfood.coop. The application deadline is Nov. 13.

The project

The allotted art space is 5 feet high and more than 70 feet across, though display plans say the artwork likely will not fill the entire 350 square feet.

“The commissioned art will be in a prominent area of our grocery co-op and visible to hundreds daily,” Co-Op General Manager Eric Shamis said.

The Co-Op is looking to offer a maximum of $10,000 to cover artist pay, materials and other incurred project costs.

The lead artist is slated to be paid $25 to $30 per square foot and will be tasked with coming up with a detailed quote covering time and material costs as well as team pay.

The lead artist is planned to be announced on Dec. 4.

That person will work alongside the Co-Op Art Committee through the end of January to develop the artwork concept; make a timeline for the production, installation and respective project milestones; and manage a production team.

The art is set to be developed off-site and optimized for easy installation. It's planned to go up in mid-March.

The Co-Op's mission

Bethlehem Food Co-Op is slated to be a “full-service, community-owned” grocery store at 250 E. Broad St. It'll be open to the public, even those without memberships.

“The Co-Op is a diverse community encouraging physical, social, and economic health by providing healthful, affordable food; emphasizing local, sustainable, humane, and natural food systems; and offering unique educational opportunities to the entire community,” the release states.