COOS BAY - The Self-Help and Mutual Aid House is inviting local artists to submit designs for a planned community mural that will be going up this summer in Empire.

The project, which will replace a deteriorating mural painted earlier by artist Peggy O'Neal, is to be designed in the shape of a quilt. Artists will fill in the panels with their own work based on themes including, but not necessarily limited to, fishing, logging, ship building, Native Americans, mining, trains, the lighthouse, the Empire County seat, local historical places and coastal themes. The mural will be painted on the exterior of the building that houses the Star of Hope at 657 Newmark Ave. in Empire. The completed mural will be 19 feet by 79 feet high, and each panel will be approximately 3 feet by 5 feet.

Cathy Pennington, the director of SHAMA House, said she came up with the idea about a year ago after learning of the range of artistic talent possessed by her clients. SHAMA House is a nonprofit organization where people with mental illnesses gather to socialize, take classes and participate in a special program to gain jobs in the community.

The purpose of the mural, in addition to public beautification, is to break down economic barriers and create community pride, Pennington said, as she hopes both prominent and unknown artists will come together to create the mural. SHAMA House clients likely will be involved with the project.

She said it also may serve as a first step toward making the area into an art destination.

“I believe a collaborative project that unites community talents would be an economic draw. I believe it would be a point interest for visitors, especially if (we) have signage that talks about how it was created,” Pennington said.

She added that the quilt design features a border that can be painted by artists of all levels.

“We would really like to let community members (participate) and stand back and say we did this altogether,” Pennington said.

She said artists should contact her by May 10 if they are interested in participating. The SHAMA House Design Review Committee will approve the artwork, but the Coos Bay Planning Commission has the final say on whether it will become a reality. If approved, painters will work from June to September.

Design submissions must be in color and 12 inches by 20 inches and provide enough detail to show image and style. Submissions must be sent to P.O. Box 1013, North Bend or hand-delivered to 1840 Union Ave. in North Bend. For more information, those interested can call Pennington at 756-2057.

- Staff writer Jessica Musicar