Ensen Community Park Mural
UPDATE
We are honored to announce that East Salinas-based nonprofit arts organization Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions (HDS) has been selected to create the mural at Ensen Community Park!
HDS has been providing art instruction and mentorship for youth and families across Salinas and Monterey County for 32 years. HDS’s Open Arts Studio in East Salinas uplifts artists ages 4+ with a mentor, quality materials, and a supportive space to build skills and confidence. The studio is open three days a week and is always free, where all are welcome.
José G. Ortiz is the Founder and Art Director for HDS. He and the HDS team have shared their skills with thousands of youth and young adults in illustration, painting, sculpture, and fabrication. HDS also creates and teaches mural painting, emphasizing history and philosophy with lessons on tolerance, teamwork, and diversity. Over 80 mobile and permanent mural works can be seen on public buildings and structures around Monterey County and beyond.
This month, the HDS team will be connecting with the Salinas community—especially residents and students neighboring Ensen Community Park—to gather feedback and inspiration for the project. Once the painting phase begins, they will incorporate multiple opportunities where the community will be invited to participate.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates during this process!
Nos honra anunciar que la organización artística sin fines de lucro Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions (HDS), situado en el este de Salinas, ha sido seleccionada para crear el mural en el Parque Comunitario Ensen.
HDS brinda instrucción artística y mentoría a jóvenes y familias en Salinas y el Condado de Monterey durante 32 años. El Open Arts Studio de HDS en el este de Salinas impulsa a artistas desde los 4 años en adelante, ofreciéndoles mentoría, materiales de calidad y un espacio de apoyo para desarrollar habilidades y confianza. El estudio está abierto tres días a la semana y siempre es gratuito; todas las personas son bienvenidas.
José G. Ortiz es el fundador y director artístico de HDS. Junto con el equipo de HDS, ha compartido sus conocimientos con miles de adolescentes y adultos jóvenes en ilustración, pintura, escultura y fabricación. HDS también crea y enseña pintura mural, haciendo énfasis en la historia y la filosofía, con lecciones sobre la tolerancia, el trabajo en equipo y la diversidad. Más de 80 murales móviles y permanentes pueden verse en edificios y espacios públicos del Condado de Monterey y más allá.
Este mes, el equipo de HDS estará conectando con la comunidad de Salinas—especialmente con residentes y estudiantes que viven cerca del Parque Comunitario Ensen—para recopilar comentarios e inspiración para el proyecto. Una vez que comience la fase de pintura, se incorporarán múltiples oportunidades para que la comunidad participe.
¡Estén pendientes de más actualizaciones emocionantes durante este proceso!
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Location: Ensen Community Park at Carr Lake - Salinas, CA
Project Overview: Big Sur Land Trust, in partnership with the City of Salinas, invites artists to submit proposals for a vibrant new mural at Ensen Community Park at Carr Lake. This project seeks to celebrate the spirit of Salinas—its multicultural history, Indigenous heritage, ecological resilience, agricultural roots, and vision for a healthy, connected community. The mural will complement the newly opened 6-acre public park and 67-acre restoration area (currently under construction), which is part of a larger transformative effort to turn Carr Lake into a welcoming public space for all.
We are especially excited that since our first formal community engagement meeting in 2018, over 7,000 residents, members of community groups, and city leaders have advocated to co-create a multi-benefit central park that reflects the heart and spirit of Salinas. Starting in July 2023, the community joined us in an extensive process to name the park. Initially, over 400 names were suggested through online surveys and community meetings. After a naming committee identified the top three choices and 966 people participated in a final online survey, the top choice was Ensen Community Park. Respondents felt it was important to honor the history of the original peoples and their relationship with this land. “Ensen” is an Indigenous word which means blackberry, an important food source for Indigenous peoples in the area known as Carr Lake. The name was suggested by Louise J. Miranda Ramirez, Tribal Chairwoman of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation (OCEN).
Inspiration: This mural could be inspired by the following (not limited to): the local multicultural community, local Indigenous tribes, native flora and fauna, healthy ecosystems, restored wetlands, public access to open space, the history of Salinas, the agricultural history of Carr Lake (Japanese American farmers), family and community gathering, health, wellbeing, urban greening, rewilding, climate resilience, and more.
Wall Dimensions: The cinder block wall is approximately 1,350 sq. ft. (270’ x 5’). The mural does not need to cover the entire wall. Artists are encouraged to use the space creatively!
Budget: A total of $35,000 (all inclusive) has been identified for the purposes of this project. Artists will be responsible for their own travel costs, materials, and personal liability insurance.
KEY DATES
- RFP Released: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Information Session at Ensen Community Park: Friday, January 30, 2026 (12:30pm)
- Deadline for Submission: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (11:59pm)
- Artist Selection Notifications: Friday, February 27, 2026
- Public Input: March 2-20, 2026
- Final Design: Friday, March 27, 2026
- April: City of Salinas Site Plan Review & Public Art Commission Informational Session
- Painting: May-June, 2026
- Mural Completion Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Proposal Requirements
The following is required for consideration as a completed proposal:
- Contact information: Name, address, telephone number, email address
- Resume/CV for lead artist(s) - Examples of past work, either attached as a PDF or with a shared web address to a digital portfolio (Maximum of 5)
- Written narrative describing your artistic vision and proposal (No longer than 1 single-spaced page)
- Conceptual sketches to explain your vision
- Proposed installation timeline
- Estimated budget (The artist will be responsible for the treatment of the surface prior to installation, as needed, and for applying a UV sealant and anti-graffiti coating upon completion.)
*Please present RFP submissions in PDF format
Process Clarification:
This Request for Proposals is intended to be a streamlined, single-stage selection process. Artists are not expected to submit fully developed designs. The review committee will evaluate proposals based on demonstrated qualifications, artistic approach, and feasibility within the stated budget and timeline. The selected artist will work with the project partners to refine the mural concept following selection and contract execution.
Email for Submission & Questions:
- For submissions and inquiries in English, please contact Burke Boynton, Community Access Coordinator
- For inquiries in Spanish, please contact Jennifer Vasquez, Conservation Program Assistant
Selection Process
A diverse representative committee has been established and will review all completed proposals. Committee members include representatives from the City of Salinas, Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT), and the Center for Community Advocacy. We will select one finalist for the project. The following will be considered in the selection process:
- Artist met the requirements outlined in the RFP
- The proposal was submitted by the deadline
- Attention to the mission of the project
- Evidence of ability to create large-scale, distinctive work
- Demonstrated ability to maintain project timelines and budgets
- Originality and creativity
** Proposals that plan to incorporate community or student engagement in the design/installation/painting process, are preferred. Local artists who live in or have ties to the Salinas community will be prioritized!
Ownership
The artist will retain ownership of any ideas submitted for consideration until a final selection has been made, and a contract will be signed between BSLT and the selected artist. At that time, BSLT will obtain 100% ownership of artwork produced, in whatever stage of completion, and the artwork shall become the property of BSLT as a work made for hire as defined by the copyright laws of the United States. BSLT shall be the sole and exclusive owner and copyright proprietor of all rights and title in and to the results and proceeds of artist’s services hereunder. In addition, the artist will represent being the sole author of the Work and that all services are original by artist and not copied in whole or in part. Upon completion of the project in its entirety, BSLT will transfer all rights of ownership to the City of Salinas in perpetuity.
Language & Accessibility
*To read this page in another language, select your preferred language from the dropdown menu in the upper right corner of this page. *Para leer esta página en otro idioma, selecciona tu idioma preferido en el menú desplegable que se encuentra en la esquina superior derecha de esta página.
- For submissions and inquiries in English, please contact Burke Boynton, Community Access Coordinator
- For inquiries in Spanish, please contact Jennifer Vasquez, Conservation Program Assistant
