LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Library is seeking artists to design a large-scale mural for the new youth-focused makerspace at the Lexington Park Library, with proposals due by May 11.
The project, coordinated with the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, aims to create an inspiring visual environment that reflects the makerspace’s emphasis on hands-on learning, innovation and creativity. Artists must submit samples of previous work and a written statement outlining ideas for the project. A selection team of library and Arts Council staff will choose several finalists, each receiving a small stipend to develop detailed design proposals. The chosen artist will receive $1,500 for the final design.
The mural will cover two walls in the makerspace area: one 21 feet long and one 41 feet long, with a height of 40 feet. Designs should incorporate or harmonize with the space’s color scheme of dark blue, dark teal and lime green. Artists may visit the library at 21677 FDR Blvd. to view current furnishings and layout. Repeating patterns across the walls are encouraged, and digital designs are preferred, though support is available for incorporating physical artwork.
Themes must center on making, technology, innovation and engineering while appealing to users of all ages, from children to adults. The makerspace will offer tools such as 3D printers, Cricut machines, sewing stations, pottery wheels, laser cutters, electronics kits and more to foster STEAM skills, fine motor development and family collaboration.
Submissions go to Amy Ford at aford@stmalib.org between April 21 and May 11. Finalists will be notified by May 12, with design concepts due May 18 and the final design completed by June 1.
The Lexington Park Library makerspace addresses community needs identified during the library’s strategic planning. It targets an unmet demand for STEAM instruction, literacy activities, fine motor skill development and intergenerational creative projects in the Lexington Park area, which is home to a diverse population tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River and surrounding Southern Maryland communities.
This initiative builds on the St. Mary’s County Arts Council’s ongoing public art efforts in Lexington Park, including previous murals celebrating local heritage and community stories. The council regularly partners with libraries, businesses and organizations to enhance cultural spaces and provide opportunities for regional artists from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties.
Library officials view the mural as an integral part of transforming the space into a dynamic hub for exploration and creation. Equipment planned for the makerspace includes fusion beads, 3D pens, poster printers, laminators, hand tools, soldering stations and memory lab technology for digitizing family media. The project supports broader goals of equitable access to educational resources in a county where defense, education and tourism drive economic activity.
Southern Maryland’s arts community continues to grow through such collaborations. The St. Mary’s County Arts Council, funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, promotes visual and performing arts while offering scholarships, exhibitions and public installations that strengthen community identity.
Artists interested in the project can contact the library for additional details on site visits or technical requirements. The completed mural is expected to enhance the makerspace’s welcoming atmosphere and inspire the next generation of makers, engineers and creative thinkers in St. Mary’s County.
This opportunity arrives as the library expands services to meet evolving community demands. Public libraries in Southern Maryland increasingly serve as innovation centers, blending traditional resources with modern technology to support lifelong learning.
