Art in the Alley Elkader - Application

Letter of intent

My name is Ketaki Poyekar, brand + website designer and an artist. I would also like to introduce myself as an applicant for the Art in the Alley project. 

I was born and raise in Mumbai, India in the family of artists. Ever since I could hold a pencil, I have been creating works of art. From pencil sketches to oil paintings, I have done it all. At a very early age, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. In 3rd and 4th grade I achieved a Gold Medal in an All India Drawing Competition and won several other art awards. By the time I finished high school, I knew that my area of expertise was art and design.

In the entrance exam for BFA I stood 87 in all India to make the cutoff of 100 seats. During my BFA in Applied Art at Sir. J.J. School of Arts I studied art history, drawing, color theory design and art application. 

I moved to San Francisco to pursue MFA in Web Design & New Media from Academy of Art University. I learned a great deal during my years in San Francisco. I made good connections and learned how design and art can build a community around it.

My husband and I moved to his hometown Elkader in early 2017 to start independent businesses and be closer to the family. Soon after I started Studio K8Ki - Design and Art Studio in Elkader. First year I spent creating art but soon realized that my purpose is in bridging communities. Since then I have been helping entrepreneurs and businesses big and small build from all over the USA make their presence stand out in the competitive market. I have helped my clients connect their products and services with their communities. 

I have a vision of how I'm going to approach the Art in the Alley project and with my background in design and art, I am confident in my ability to create expressive and interesting piece of mural to bring in more visitors to contribute to the town of Elkader and flourish it as an arts and retail destination. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of my application. I look forward to contributing and I feel this opportunity will allow me to utilize my well-practiced skills to add value to growth of Elkader, the town I call home. 

Sincerely,

Ketaki Poyekar

Artist’s Work

Ketaki’s Artist Statement

My focus is in bold and positive messages that the community and visitors can relate to. Giving my artwork a unique hashtag will potentially help Elkader become a popular destination on social media to attract more visitors. Also, social media is a huge part of young generations daily lives and it will help bring young visitors to Elkader. Living in San Francisco I have witnessed the impact of street art and murals on travellers/visitors. In today’s digital world people can find street art and murals location from anywhere in the world through just a google search. I want to bring the power of internet and use it to flourish the rural town of Elkader, Iowa.

Do you consider yourself a full-time artist?
Yes

How many years of experience do you have?
12 years professional experience

Select (circle) either Muralist, Panel Art or Both:
Both/Either

How long do you expect the project to take from design/concept to installation?
Two months - plan to have it completed by first week of July.

When would you be available to start the project?
May

Would you be willing to work with a local fabricator for parts of the project?(Potential for in-kind material donation)
Yes

You will be asked to work with the a selection committee throughout the project with direction from the Project Coordinator.  Do you have any concerns about this?
No

Mural Ideas & Inspirations

These are some ideas that will give you a sense of my approach to Elkader’s Art in the Alley project.

Process and Estimated Materials Budget

Materials will be finalized after artwork is selected, however the majority will be spent toward paints, primer and varnish.

Step 1: Cleaning Surface
If the surface is wood and has knots and pitch streaks it would need sanding.

Step 2: Priming Surface

After sanding the surface needs to be spot primed.

Step 3: Painting

Step 4: Finished Mural Protection

Thank you for your consideration!