Until November 1st, 2013, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District—LES BID for short— is looking for professional artists and graphic designers to submit design ideas for their asphalt art project. We can’t help but point out that this is street art, literally on the street! The selected artist will have their design put onto a stencil and painted on a triangular patch of asphalt between Division, Ludlow, and Canal Streets. Applicants are welcome to use optical illusions, designs, a colorful palette, and pattern-based concepts.

The Asphalt Art Project would be submitted as part of the Urban Art Program, which includes the Barrier Beautification Project and the Park Avenue Voice Tunnel at Summer Streets. . If the application is chosen, the LES BID will begin setting up the installation this coming spring.The Asphalt Art Project will be the beginning of a larger public art narrative taking place in the Lower East Side. Visit LES BID’s website to read more about the project and to apply.

See some similar concepts already executed in New York City, such as the sidewalk murals on Extra Place