The Tahoe Fund and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) have partnered to provide an innovative, community-driven restroom mural painting project, and we need your help to make it happen!

We are seeking community-based artists to beautify the interior of highly visited LTBMU restroom facilities with painted murals, helping to diminish vandalism and encourage people to take better care of Tahoe.

Inspired by a similar project by the Bureau of Land Management in Henry’s Lake, Idaho, the murals will transform the interiors of these facilities and bring them alive with depictions of Tahoe’s plants, animals, and beautiful landscape.

Please review this full page for information about eligibility, artist criteria and goals, information about the bathrooms, how to submit a proposal, and more.

Artist(s) Eligibility

• This call is an invite for artist(s) in the California and Nevada area.
• Artist teams are eligible for the project.
• Local artist(s) and community groups are highly sought-after for this project.

This Invite to Artist(s) is an Equal Artistic Opportunity: selection of the winning proposal will be made without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity/paternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.

Art Criteria & Goals

The art should create a transformative experience for users, establish a “sense of place” within the Tahoe region and inspire action to take care of Tahoe. Creative depictions could include:

• Recreation activities
• Nature landscapes
• Local flora and fauna
• Cultural and historical importance to Lake Tahoe
• Inspirational messages aligned with Take Care Tahoe

Restroom Information

North Lake Tahoe: Stateline Lookout

The Stateline Fire Lookout Trail in Crystal Bay offers beautiful panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Named for its location – straddling the Nevada-California line – this trail has benches for hikers to rest and enjoy the scenery and interpretive panels that tell the history of the lake.

This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms. The interior walls each measure 7.1’ long x 9.9’ high.

Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

East Shore: Logan Shoals Vista Point

The Logan Shoals Vista Point on Tahoe’s East Shore is an incredibly popular spot for scenic views of the lake. Located right off Highway 50, Logan Shoals has a short, paved path to a rock outcropping with panoramic vistas.

This bathroom has two single-user, accessible bathrooms with pit toilets. The wall dimensions are 5’11” long x 8′ high.

Both single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

South Shore: Tallac Historic Site

The Tallac Historic Site is the former site of the 100-year-old Tallac Resort. Now, the site is home to the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate, and the Valhalla Estate. There are many walking paths available, as well as tours, exhibits, and a museum.

This bathroom has six single-user, accessible bathrooms. The wall dimensions are 7’ long x 7′ high.

Two of the single-user bathrooms would be available for murals.

Budget

The artist(s) should submit a budget for consideration that includes all artists’ fees such as design, labor, and transportation. Paint and protective topcoat for each mural will be generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting, so budget estimate should include costs for any other materials needed. Costs such as insurance, taxes, studio overhead, and miscellaneous items are not eligible for inclusion.

Proposal Submission Information

Proposals must be submitted through this Google Form with attachments and time-stamped no later than 6 PM, Pacific Time, March 29, 2024.

Proposals should include:

1. Project description, including sketch of proposed art and description of materials
2. Artist/Artists’ Statement of interest (500 words or less)
3. Resume or short biography
4. Up to 5 jpeg images of previous pieces (if available): labeled with piece name, date created, location of piece, materials used.
5. Annotated list of previous projects (if available), including: description, dimensions, material, location, budget, client or commissioning organization, and any other relevant project information
6. Budget breakdown which includes the design fee and material costs
7. Recommended maintenance plan for art that addresses any maintenance/reapplication that may be required. Please note the mural must be able to withstand power washing.
8. Rank order of preferred bathrooms, with (1) as top priority and (3) as last priority

Selection Criteria

Art selection will be judged by the Tahoe Fund, LTBMU and select community members on a weighted system that is informed by the following criteria (in no particular order):

• Completeness of proposal: Does it include all eight requested elements? (12 points)
• Art Piece Content: Does the art piece capture the local environment, inspire action to take care of Tahoe, and transform the restroom experience? (10 points)
• Required maintenance: Does the proposal include a maintenance plan (5 points) and viable maintenance steps (3 additional points)

Maximum Points Possible = 30

Project Timeline

The timeline includes dates for the following milestones, as they apply:

1. Call for Artists opens: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
2. Submission deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024
3. Review of artists proposals: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
4. Winning Artist(s) Notified: Within 7 days of selection
5. Artist(s) contracts finalized and signed: May 1, 2024
6. Mural Creation/Installation: May 2024, weather permitting. Please note artists will have 3-5 days to install mural on-site.
7. Unveiling and Celebration: TBD

Resource for Questions

For questions or additional information, please email Noah Shapiro, nshapiro@tahoefund.org.

With the winter recreation season underway, the Tahoe Fund is asking community members to rise to a new challenge: help unlock $10,000 to support Nevada Nordic’s grooming efforts. 

“If you love cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, this challenge is for you,” said Amy Berry, CEO of the Tahoe Fund. “If 100 community members donate to the $10K Challenge, the Tahoe Fund will give $10,000 to support Nevada Nordic’s nightly grooming of 19 km of free trails.” 

Located off the Mt. Rose Highway four miles west of Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and 6 miles east of Incline Village, Nevada Nordic provides the closest groomed trails to the Reno and Carson City areas. Thanks to its 8,100’ elevation, Nevada Nordic’s trail grooming can often continue longer than any other cross-country area in the region. 

“Our mission is grounded in making sure our trails are available at no cost, and it’s the community support that makes this possible,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic board member. “With your help, we can maintain that free access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking for all those who love to get outside in the winter.” 

Nevada Nordic maintains their trail system year-round, including removal of downed limbs, trail debris, and dog waste. A team of dedicated ambassadors help visitors get the most out of the trail system, and school groups, local school ski teams and students from the Boys & Girls Club are regularly welcomed to Nevada Nordic’s freshly groomed trails.

The first 100 people to donate $25 or more by March 15 will unlock the Tahoe Fund match. Give today at www.tahoefund.org/10kchallenge.

The Tahoe Fund announced today that Amy Ohran, vice president and general manager of Northstar California Resort, has joined its Board of Directors. Invited because of her extensive leadership experience and passion for mountain sports and the environment, Ohran will contribute to the organization as it works to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy. In addition, the Tahoe Fund welcomes financial tech expert Kellie Kessel to its investment committee.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Amy to our Board of Directors, and Kellie to our investment committee. The deep personal connections both of these women have to Lake Tahoe and their vast professional experience will be a tremendous asset to the Tahoe Fund,” said Cory Ritchie, Tahoe Fund board chair. “As we continue to evaluate which improvement projects to support in the coming year and beyond, their contributions will be invaluable.”

Ohran is an innovative, strategic leader who has been part of the ski industry for over 30 years. She also serves on the boards of Ski California, the National Ski Areas Association, and the North Tahoe Community Alliance, and is focused on supporting women and emerging leaders as they grow in the outdoor recreation industry. Prior to joining Vail Resorts as the leader of Northstar California, Ohran was Director of Staff & Skier Services at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, and most recently held the role of Vice President & General Manager of Woodward Mountain Centers in Tahoe and Park City. Passionate about mountain sports and the Tahoe environment, she can often be found rock climbing, mountain biking, and enjoying all manner of snow sports.

“Since its inception, the Tahoe Fund has been incredibly successful in its efforts to improve the Tahoe environment and make it more accessible for all to enjoy. I couldn’t be more proud to be joining this inspiring, effective team of people who are committed to stewardship and ensuring this special place can continue to be enjoyed by current and future generations,” said Ohran.

Kessel, a retired financial technology executive, brings deep corporate financial and nonprofit board experience to the Tahoe Fund’s investment committee. Most recently, Kessel served as Managing Director of Black Knight Financial Services. She has also been a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, working on their institutional sales and trading desk, and has served on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards. Currently, Kessel is pursuing an MA in Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, sailing, skiing, and hiking the stunning trails in Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit organization that supports environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, expand sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and its current and completed projects at www.tahoefund.org.