Art students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will paint a mural on the exterior wall of the Stop & Shop food market next to the Water street parking lot in Vineyard Haven, following a move by the Tisbury selectmen to sanction a public art proposal presented by interested town citizens.

The Tisbury mural project has gone public with a call to Island artists for design entries. The design will be for a mural, 10 feet high and 48 feet long, on the exterior north wall of the supermarket. The theme of the design should reflect any aspect of this historic gateway to the Island from ancient to modern times.

A prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the winning entry. The layout and painting of the selected design will be directed by the winning artist for an additional stipend.

Entries will be accepted through August 31. Six finalists will be on display at the Vineyard Haven library for public comment in September. Following the month-long public comment period, the final selection will be made. Layout and painting of the mural will begin in October at the high school. The mural will be unveiled to the public in spring 2009.

Residents serving on the mural committee include Don Amaral, Paul Brissette, Dolly Campbell, Judy Cronig, Nicole Matthews, Deborah Medders and Robert Townes.

The committee hopes to raise donations to cover all of the project’s costs. Written guidelines can be picked up at the town hall. For more information about the mural project, call 508-693-1039.