Tea Box Design Contest

 

 

My Cup of Tea, Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise located in the historic Orange Mound community. We provide jobs to women striving to overcome poverty by packaging and selling high-quality tea. While we sell more than 70 different teas, our most popular products are those included in our Memphis-themed line.

In partnership with the Orange Mound Arts Council (OMAC), we are requesting proposals from Black professional artists with an Orange Mound association to design the next Memphis-themed tea box. This document includes the details on how and when to submit proposals, which will culminate in the chosen artists having the design printed on the new box; receiving a cash prize of $1,000; and being featured on the side of the new box. Additionally, we expect to receive substantial media attention.

 

Questions can be directed to Mike Carpenter (mike.carpenter@shopmycupoftea.com.)

Submission Requirements

Eligibility: Proposals may be received from artists who meet the following requirements:

• Black or African American;
• Receive a substantial portion of their income from selling artwork or teaching art;
• Have a meaningful connection to Orange Mound to include, but not be limited to, residing in OM, working in OM, formerly a resident of OM, attended school in OM, and volunteering in OM.

Dates: Proposals must be received by 11:59 PM, September 15th, 2024. After reviewing the proposals, My Cup of Tea in partnership with the Orange Mound Arts Council will select one artist with whom to contract for design of the new box. My Cup of Tea will provide feedback to the artist relative to the submitted proposal and the proposed concept for design.

Components of the Proposal: Proposing artists are asked to submit their portfolios electronically through the form below, preferably in PDF format with a resolution of at least 300 DPI, but not to exceed 600 DPI. Additionally, artists are required to submit a concept description for the new box not to exceed 250 words.

Portfolio submissions should be in full color, unless some, or all, of the designs in the portfolio are intended to be in black and white, which should be noted. Portfolio submissions may include multiple pages, but the page size should not exceed 8.5” x 11”. Submissions should not include or anticipate raised or 3-D-type artwork. The box will be printed flat and on a gloss finish. The artwork must be horizontal, not vertical, as the boxes are shelved horizontally.

Compensation

The selected artist will receive payment of $1,000 upon acceptance of the new box design. The design will be printed on 500 tea boxes. A photo of the selected artist and an approximately 200-word biography will be printed on the side of the boxes that are sold throughout the Mid-South and across the country. The selected artist and design will be the subject of press releases and media advisories encouraging local media to feature the artist and the design.

Artists to Retain Ownership of Original Work

The compensation received by the artist is a licensing fee allowing My Cup of Tea to print the design on 500 boxes of tea and to use that design in promoting the sell of the tea. Ownership of the artwork will remain with the selected artist. If My Cup of Tea desires to print additional boxes, then the terms for extending the license will be negotiated with the artist.

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To download the full RFP with detailed instructions, box examples, further information, please visit here:

Tea Box Design - Request for Proposal PDF

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2023 Winner - Darlene Newman

Darlene Newman was the first woman to be chosen and her design called, "Home," delighted customers with depiction of quintessential Orange Mound shotgun house. For 23 years, Darlene has captured subject matter through lively

stylized human forms and bright expressive acrylic colors, mixing humor with positive images and bringing them to life. She has illustrated a number of children's books, has worked with the community on a variety of public mural projects and is creating and producing an animated series, Orange Mound Bound, to air on Roku and Amazon TV. She has had her work added to private collections throughout the U.S. and Singapore. Everyday, Darlene strives to fulfill her divine purpose as an artist. You can see more of Darlene's work at DarlenesArt.com.

2022 Winner - Danny Broadway

Mixing rich, thin layers of light and dark acrylic pigments with broad, energetic brushstrokes and vibrant colors, artist Danny Broadway exudes his talents by creating pieces that speak to a viewer’s soul. Danny contemplatively depicts serene scenes that entice viewers to gaze often upon history in the present.

Danny creations span several media types reflecting an artist that is always in motion and striving to reach new heights with his talent. His focus and passion has been evidenced by his dedication to his craft since high school when a dedicated instructor, recognizing Danny’s diligence and desire, took him under her wing.

Danny earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Memphis. There, the University chose to commission his paintings as a major feature of the University’s Black History Month posters for two consecutive years. Danny’s dedication to the community is demonstrated through the use of his artistic talents to rally support for numerous charitable organizations. Broadway currently serves as Artist in Residence at St. Georges Independent School.

Danny’s work has been featured in galleries and venues across the country. Locally, Danny was chosen as a featured artist for the Memphis International Airport’s renovation to Concourse B.

To contact Danny or purchase his work, visit www.dannybraodway.com or find him on Instagram at @dannybroadway.

2021 Winner - Andre Miller

As an Orange Mound native and professional, Black artist, Andre Miller knew that submitting his design would be a great way to give back to the community that gave so much to him.

A diverse committee of representatives from both MCOT and OMAC chose Miller's design because of its clear influence of growing up in the Orange Mound Community.  Miller said it was a thrill to be chosen to create the art for the latest Memphis-themed tea box, and that the whole experience was so gratifying. 

My Cup of Tea named this limited edition tea Sippin' Soul as an ode to Memphis' "kings," W.C. Handy, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley that were represented in the design. 

You can continue to support Andre by visiting his website, Art by Andre Miller.