By Kathy Chouteau
Tiny Village Spirit, a nonprofit leading a multi-agency collaboration to create the Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm and Garden, seeks Richmond artists between the ages of 16-24 to submit designs for murals on the houses.
The deadline to submit mural designs is March 1, while decisions will be made April 15. The collaborative project is creating emergency housing units for Richmond youth ages 18 to 24 at 175 23rd Street in the city. The artist honorarium for a two-mural set is $1,000 and $500 for one mural.
“We need the murals to emphasize the empowerment of youth, encouraging youth to meet their goals and live their best lives,” said the organization.
Via this project, the nonprofit is nearly doubling the number of emergency housing units serving Richmond youth by adding 12 units. Currently, for West Contra Costa County in its entirety, Callie House states it has 15 units for this same population.
The vision for the Tiny House Village includes creating 12 units, each a tiny house that’s a safe haven for a young person, according to the organization. “These houses will form a small, supported community where these youth can rebuild their lives.”
Supplemental structures will include a tiny house for a resident assistant; a kitchen yurt; dining room yurt; and a community space yurt including laundry facilities. Also built into the plan will be an entrance security cabin and a bathroom trailer with two restrooms.
More than 200 volunteers have stepped up this month to help power the project. The Richmond Tiny House Village has a move-in goal of July 2025.
The Richmond Tiny House Village, Farm, and Garden Project is a collaborative effort managed by a Steering Committee with representatives from partner organizations and skilled community volunteers, according to the organization’s Go Fund Me page. Fourteen Working Groups are focused on different project components.
Youth muralists between the ages of 16-24 wanting to apply to the project can request design submission guidelines at [email protected]; [email protected]; or via text 510-282-0396.
