Project Overview

Overlay, Inc., in partnership with the Mabion Family and Vecino, invites artists living or working in the Kansas City region and surrounding areas to apply for a public art opportunity at the newly developed Mabion affordable housing project located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Kansas City at 2732 Forest Avenue Kansas City, MO.

This commission for public art will result in a permanent, large-scale mural that reflects the history, culture, and roots of the surrounding Beacon Hill neighborhood while inspiring progressive ideals for the future of the community. The selected artist will work closely with Overlay, Inc. and the project partners to create a meaningful and site-responsive work of public art.

Project Background & Intention

The Mabion affordable housing project is designed to expand access to quality, affordable housing in North Kansas City while supporting community connectivity and neighborhood revitalization in the Beacon Hill area. The development prioritizes:

Access to affordable housing opportunities
Proximity to public transportation and essential services
Beautification cultural development of the surrounding area through thoughtful design and public art
Honoring the legacy of the Mabion family and paying homage to the history of Kansas City, particularly within this historically Black neighborhood

Public art is a critical component of this project, serving as both a visual anchor and a tribute to the community’s past, present, and future.

The mural artwork will reside on a north-facing wall composed of a shallow brick facade. The wall is approximately 1,400 square feet and includes 3 narrow windows on the east-most side. The windows should remain unpainted.

Artistic Theme

The theme for this public art commission is open, but proposals should meaningfully engage with the history of the site and surrounding area in ways that celebrate community, resilience, and cultural roots.

Artists are expected to consider the following insights and historical factors as sources of inspiration for the final artwork:

The site of the Mabion within Kansas City’s Beacon Hill neighborhood was originally a plantation and apple orchard with a legacy of slavery, which through subsequent decades in the 20th Century declined into crime and degradation.
Since 1984, the Mabion family has worked to transform the area through spiritual ministry, community engagement, and a goal of delivering resources and housing—hence The Mabion.  
“The Dome”, a significant spiritual and architectural landmark symbolizing grace, played a central role  in community gatherings and ministry for Bethlehem Kingdom Center. Efforts included annual youth events, partnerships with medical institutions like Truman Medical Center, and overcoming challenges  in local politics to advance housing initiatives.  
The neighborhood has seen a shift toward peace, acceptance, and prosperity, with multiple generations returning and a more diverse population emerging. Themes of grace, restoration, and pride permeate this community’s story, underscoring themes of resilience and hope for the future.

Artists are not required to address all of these themes, but selected artist concept proposals should demonstrate thoughtful engagement with the site’s story and significance.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be 18 years of age or older and permitted to work in the U.S.
Must currently have or obtain prior to installation at the artist’s sole expense general liability insurance and certification to operate a boom lift.
Must live or work in the Kansas City metropolitan area or surrounding regional area
Must demonstrate experience designing and executing large-scale murals, supported by a professional portfolio
Must be available to complete the artwork onsite between May 1-May 20, 2026
- Note that specific installation dates will be coordinated between the artist and Overlay in accordance with site specific needs.
Must make reasonable efforts to be available to attend a ribbon cutting celebration at a date to be determined

Artist Fee & Project Support

Total Artist Fee: $20,000
Materials Stipend: $500
Equipment: Lift and/or scaffolding will be provided
Surface Preparation: Artist will be responsible for priming the wall if required, in advance of installation

Concept Approval & Payment Structure

Once selected, the artist will enter into a contract with Overlay, Inc. and receive payment according to the following structure:

10% deposit of the total artist fee ($2,000) to develop up to 2 concept proposals
Concepts will be reviewed by Overlay, Inc. and the building ownership team
While it is our mission to support artist vision, up to two (2) rounds of revisions may be requested to achieve final approval
Any additional revision rounds beyond the two included will be negotiated with the artist as needed and will be compensated at $25/hour for up to 8 additional hours
Upon final concept approval, the artist will receive the $500 materials stipend
The remaining balance of the artist fee will be paid upon successful completion of the artwork

Project Timeline

All dates are subject to change based on construction schedules.

February 20: Call for Artists opens
March 20: Call for Artists closes
March 20-27: Panel review period
March 27: Shortlisted artists notified
April 2: Final artist selected
April 3–17: Artist deposit issued & concept development
April 17–22: Panel review of concepts
April 23–30: Revisions and finalization
May 1: Final artwork approval deadline
May 3–May 25: Artwork installation window
TBD: Ribbon cutting celebration

To Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please fill out the form on the next page.

Application Fee & Fee Waiver

Overlay is proud to partner with Vecino to support funding on this project. With this funding and in an effort to remain accessible to interested artists, we are thrilled to waive our standard application fee of $10 to any artists who wish to waive this fee for any reason.

If able, we ask for your consideration of a $10 donation to support our organization. As a non profit, every donation contributes directly to our mission to provide opportunities for artists in the midwest region.

A donation does not impact an applicant's chances of selection in any way. Artists will be selected on the merit of work and alignment with the project.

Please note: Givebutter, our third-party online platform for submission requires a $1.00 minimum donation to submit through this form. If you wish not to provide the minimum donation, you may still apply at no cost by:

Proceeding through the application link and reviewing the questions.
Submitting answers to all questions in a single pdf file to: [email protected] no later than March 20th.

About the Organizations

Overlay, Inc. is a 501c3 non profit art organization based in Springfield, Missouri serving the midwest region through the curation and facilitation of public art and community engagement with the arts. More information can be found at www.overlayfest.com.

The Vecino Group believes in making the world a better place, one community, one real estate development at a time. Supportive Housing. Student Housing. Public or Private Partnerships. Regardless of what we’re doing, we always seek to maximize impact. From social justice, to environmentalism, to elevated design, the sum of our separate motivations adds up to a collective soulfulness that is the heart of how the Vecino Group develops housing.

Bethlehem Kingdom Center / Mabion Family — Bethlehem Kingdom Center was started by Raymond L. Mabion, Sr.. Back then, the church family imagined a church that was truly welcoming to everyone - where everyone had a seat at the table regardless of personal history, family background, ethnicity, or gender. BKC functions under a Kingdom ministry. Today, Raymond L. Mabion II leads our Kingdom ministry as the Executive Pastor.

More than ever, BKC is committed to fostering a family built around hope. Hope for the future.

Mabion Public Art Project: Call For Artists