Kingston Creative launches calls for public art 

Kingston Creative has launched three simultaneous mural open calls, inviting Jamaican artists to create large-scale public works across Kingston and Montego Bay. The projects, developed in partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council, Digicel Foundation, and Doctors’ Cave Bathing Club, span themes of culinary arts, the environment, and heritage. Applications can now be submitted, with deadlines running through to June 2026.

The three commissions mark a significant expansion of Kingston Creative's public art footprint. The first, titled ‘Saltfish & Soul’, is a collaboration with Norwegian Seafood on a mural located at the intersection of Church Street and Water Lane in downtown Kingston, in the heart of the Water Lane Art District. The second commission, titled ‘Montego Bay – Past, Present & Future’, is in partnership with the iconic Doctors’ Cave Bathing Club and will become the third in a series of murals anchoring cultural tourism development around Sam Sharpe Square. The third commission, ‘Nature in Action’, will be located on Constant Spring Road at the home of the Abilities Foundation, a registered vocational training institution serving persons with disabilities since 1992. In partnership with the Digicel Foundation, this mural will serve as the visual centrepiece of a new green infrastructure initiative featuring rain gardens and bioswales. 

"Public art is an opportunity to tell our story in a powerful way that connects directly with the people," said Andrea Dempster Chung, executive director of Kingston Creative. "These three open calls celebrate gastronomy and our culinary identity, honour the history of our second city, Montego Bay, and use creativity as a tool for environmental education. We are calling on Jamaica's artists to step forward and put their mark in spaces that will have an impact on communities for years to come."

The simultaneous launch of three mural commissions underscores Kingston Creative's growing role as a connector between corporate partners, community institutions, and Jamaica's creative sector. Artists are encouraged to review the detailed briefs and submit their proposals before the respective deadlines. For more information, contact info@kingstoncreative.org or visit kingstoncreative.org/opencall.

Kingston Creative is a non-profit organization dedicated to using art, culture, and creativity to drive social and economic transformation in Jamaica.