TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Christine Tibbs, Assistant Director
THROUGH: Renée A. Jadusingh, Esq., Executive Director
DATE: July 23, 2026
Title
AWARD THE CALL TO ARTISTS FOR THE EXTERIOR MURAL FOR THE CRA-OWNED BUILDING LOCATED AT 95 SW 5th AVENUE
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Award the Call to Artists for the exterior mural for the CRA-owned building located at 95 SW 5th Avenue to the highest ranked Artist, Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy; and authorize CRA Staff to enter into contract negotiations with Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy; and if in the event that a contract is not negotiated to the CRA’s satisfaction, the CRA may abandon such negotiations at its sole and absolute discretion, and the CRA Board authorizes CRA Staff to commence negotiations with the next highest scoring Artist, if applicable.
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Background:
In 2023, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) began constructing a new, approximately 7,089 square foot, two-story commercial building located at 95 SW 5th Avenue. The ground floor spans approximately 2,245 square feet, and will feature a lobby, staircase, restrooms, elevator, and one commercial rental space accessible from SW 5th Avenue. The second-floor spans approximately 4,844 square feet and will feature restrooms and two commercial rental spaces. The development project signifies an important step toward creating affordable commercial rental space and activation along the Historic Northwest & Southwest 5th Avenue commercial corridor, as called for by the CRA Redevelopment Plan.
In 2024, the CRA Board prioritized meeting the needs of The Set community as identified in The Set Transformation Plan, and the CRA’s Redevelopment Plan, and dedicated the affordable commercial rental spaces within 95 SW 5th Avenue for tenants who would provide medical, pharmacy, healthcare, and wellness services. Construction of the commercial building is complete, and the search for tenants is ongoing.
The approved design of 95 SW 5th Avenue includes a mural on the south wall near the front entrance to the building on SW 1st Street (see mural location, with a mural placeholder, included in Exhibit B).
On November 20, 2025, the CRA Board authorized the issuance of the Call to Artists for the exterior mural (see Call to Artists included in Exhibit C). The intent of the Call for Artists was to seek an Artist to work with the Frog Alley residents and property owners and The Set community to develop and create a dynamic mural that is embraced by and rooted in the values, culture, and history of Frog Alley and The Set community.
The Call to Artists was issued on February 11, 2026, with an Application Deadline of March 30, 2026.
No art medium was specified within the Call to Artists. At the time of the Application Deadline, eleven (11) Artists, whose mediums ranged from painting to mosaic tile, submitted a timely Application.
Applications Received (Artists listed in alphabetical order)
1. Ashley Coote and Teeka Ellis
2. Carlton Jones - Divine Wall Murals
3. Gregory Dirr and Ma Nong
4. Hector Prado and Andres Lopez - Firefly Artverting Agency
5. Jhonattan and Samantha Arango
6. Jose R. Mendez and Eddie Mendieta
7. Leo F. Urban and Marta Grigorieva - Urban Associates
8. Michele Del Campo
9. Pedro Aguiar - Cyst One LLC
10. Ricardo Dieguez
11. Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy
The Call to Artists requested the Artists submit their Project Compensation for the completion of the mural which would include organizing and conducting the community outreach meeting, conducting independent research, developing the mural concept design, finalizing the mural design, presenting to the CRA Board and City of Delray Beach Boards for approvals and permits, installation, materials, equipment, insurance, travel, etc. The Project Compensation for the submitted Applications ranged from $14,300 to $46,550.
Evaluation Committee Meeting - June 9, 2026
On June 9, 2026, the Evaluation Committee, which was comprised of two (2) CRA Staff, one (1) City Staff, one (1) community partner, and two (2) Frog Alley residents, met and reviewed all eleven (11) Artists’ Applications. The Artists were reviewed by the Evaluation Committee based on criteria stated within the Call to Artists and scored as stated below:
|
Criteria |
Description |
Maximum Possible Score |
|
Letter of Intent |
All items are provided and there is clear communication regarding: • Artist’s Statement • Proposed medium for the Project • Project approach and understanding of Project intent |
25 |
|
Qualifications |
• Artist’s resume (if submitting as a Team, each Artist shall have included a resume) • Submitted application and resume(s) meet the definition of “Artist” as defined in the Call to Artists |
25 |
|
Experience |
• Proven experience in Proposed Medium for the Project • Previously completed and installed work similar in size and scope to the Project • Previous experience working on community-based projects similar in size and scope to the Project • If working as a Team, prior experience working together, specifically on projects of similar size and scope to the Project |
35 |
|
Previously completed and installed work |
• Includes images (with location) of Artist’s work similar in size and scope to the Project • Includes design process prior to installing the work |
15 |
|
|
|
100 |
The Evaluation Committee’s Composite Scores for each of the Artists are provided below (see Evaluation Committee Composite Scores - June 9, 2026, included in Exhibit D.)
|
Rank |
Artist |
Score |
|
1 |
Michele Del Campo |
568 |
|
2 |
Ricardo Dieguez |
559 |
|
3 |
Jose R. Mendez and Eddie Mendieta |
555 |
|
4 |
Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy |
542 |
|
5 |
Carlton Jones - Divine Wall Murals |
491 |
|
6 |
Jhonattan and Samantha Arango |
478.5 |
|
7 |
Gregory Dirr and Ma Nong |
469 |
|
8 |
Pedro Aguiar - Cyst One LLC |
455 |
|
9 |
LeoF. Urban and Marta Grigorieva - Urban Associates |
398 |
|
10 |
Hector Prado and Andres Lopez - Firefly Artverting Agency |
397 |
|
11 |
Ashley Coote and Teeka Ellis |
380 |
The Evaluation Committee recommended the four (4) highest ranking Artists to move forward to Oral Presentations.
Oral Presentations - June 30, 2026
On June 30, 2026, the Evaluation Committee heard Oral Presentations from the four (4) highest ranking Artists. The Artists each had ten (10) minutes to present followed by a ten (10) minute question and answer session. Following the Oral Presentations, the Evaluation Committee had the opportunity to re-score the Artists based on the criteria stated within the Call to Artists.
The Evaluation Committee’s Composite Scores for the four (4) Artists following Oral Presentations are provided below (see Evaluation Committee Final Scores - June 30, 2026, included as Exhibit E.)
|
Rank |
Artist |
Score |
|
1 |
Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy |
575 |
|
2 |
Michele Del Campo |
562 |
|
3 |
Jose R. Mendez and Eddie Mendieta |
561 |
|
4 |
Ricardo Dieguez |
559 |
The Evaluation Committee recommended the CRA move forward with contract negotiations with the highest scoring Artist, Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy (see Artist Application and Oral Presentation included in Exhibit F). The highest scoring Artist is a team of two who work in two mediums - painting and mosaic tile. The requested Project Compensation provided within their Application was $46,550.
The selected Artist shall research the history of The Set and pay particular attention to the history and importance of Frog Alley, and the people and businesses that that helped to establish, shape, and grow The Set community. Additionally, the selected Artist will design the mural allowing for significant and meaningful community participation. The Artist will work with CRA Staff to organize and conduct community outreach meetings. The feedback and input received will be used alongside the selected Artist’s research to develop the theme and vision for mural design. The final mural design will come before the CRA Board prior to going before the City Public Art and Advisory Board for mural permit approval.
At this time, CRA Staff is requesting the CRA Board accept the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation, and award the Call to Artists for the exterior mural for the CRA-owned building located at 95 SW 5th Avenue to the highest ranked Artist, Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy, and authorize CRA Staff to enter into contract negotiations with Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy; and if in the event that a contract is not negotiated to the CRA’s satisfaction, the CRA may abandon such negotiations at its sole and absolute discretion, and the CRA Board authorizes CRA Staff to commence negotiations with the next highest scoring Artist, if applicable. The negotiated contract will be brought before the CRA Board for approval.
Attachment(s): Exhibit A - Location Map & Photos; Exhibit B - Renderings of Approved Design; Exhibit C - Call to Artists; Exhibit D - Evaluation Committee Composite Scores - June 9, 2026; Exhibit E - Evaluation Committee Final Scores - June 30, 2026; Exhibit F - Sonata Kazimieraitiene and Symphonii Smith-Kennedy Artist Application and Oral Presentation
CRA Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Overall need within the Community Redevelopment Area from Delray Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan:
Removal of Slum and Blight
Land Use
Economic Development
Affordable Housing
Downtown Housing
Infrastructure
Recreation and Cultural Facilities