TUCSON, Ariz. (Sept. 18, 2026) — Rio Nuevo has opened a Call to Artists seeking a Tucson-area artist to create a historic mural at 69 E. Broadway in downtown Tucson, the former home of The Prescription Shop during the 1960s and into the 1970s. The selected artist will receive a $5,500 total project fee, inclusive of the artist’s fee and project expenses, to create and install the approximately 15-foot-wide by 9-foot-high outdoor mural by March 30, 2027.
The mural will draw inspiration from a historic photograph of pharmacist Harry Maynard serving a customer inside The Prescription Shop. Artists may creatively interpret the image while maintaining its historic connection to the site, with a likeness of Maynard preferred. The opportunity is open to Tucson-area artists with demonstrated artistic ability and relevant experience completing permanent outdoor murals. No mural design is required during the initial Call to Artists period. Full information is available at rionuevo.org.
“This project is an opportunity to celebrate a piece of downtown Tucson’s history through public art while creating something meaningful for the people who live in and visit downtown,” said Board Member, Jannie Cox. “We’re excited to see how Tucson artists interpret the history of this site and bring it to life for a new generation.”
Call to Artists Timeline
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Sept. 16 – Oct. 15: Call to Artists open. Submit a letter of interest that includes up to 150 words describing interest in the project, along with a website, online portfolio or up to six examples of previous work.
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Oct. 30: Invitations sent to artists selected to move on to the proposal stage. Artists will receive a $250 stipend for their proposal. Full proposal requirements are available here.
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Nov. 30: Full proposals due.
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Dec. 15: Artist selected.
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March 30, 2027: Mural completed and installed.
Submissions and questions should be emailed to [email protected].