This article was originally published on August 23; however, we are re-running it because we’ve extended the Call to Artists deadline to September 17.

As many AltDaily readers and certainly most Ghent dwellers know by now, the space in which Magnolia Steakhouse once resided on the corner of Princess Anne and Colley will soon be inhabited by a gastropub-style restaurant called The Public House.

Local restaurateurs Eric Stevens and Karl Dornemann, whose other establishments include Still and Bardo, have been hard at work preparing The Public House for its grand opening later this fall. Eric was kind enough to give me a tour recently, and the place–after quite a lot of demolition and, I’d imagine, some hardcore cleaning–is a completely blank slate. As he showed me around and described the vision that they are working to create (which is a warm, locals’ place with billiards, a British vibe and a killer menu), I became more excited than ever to have it open right here in my ‘hood.

Part of the vision is to have the walls decorated with artwork describing good and bad bar etiquette. “To mind your P’s and Q’s” is, after all, a holdover from 17th-century English pubs, where bartenders reminded patrons to look after their pints and quarts.

This is where you, local artists and designers, come in. The Public House wants to commission you to create the artwork (ALL the artwork!) that will hang on its walls. Needless to say, your work will be seen by thousands of patrons, and will be a major element in the restaurant’s aesthetic and atmosphere. Certainly this is an amazing opportunity to get your name out and be a part of something that makes this area cool.

Here’s what you have to do:

• Create a design based on one of the three examples for “bar rules” listed below; or you can write a rule yourself and design artwork based on that.
• The dimensions of your design should be 11″ x 17″, or something close to that.
• Send a jpeg of your design to contest@altdaily.com with the subject line “Public House Art Contest.” The maximum file size is 2 MB. Be sure to include your name and phone number in the email.
• The deadline for submissions is September 17, 2010.

Here are the three rules for you to choose from as a basis for your design.

1. Separate Checks: If you are dining with people that you just don’t trust, you can request a separate check. You must ask your Server for a separate check when you are placing your order–otherwise you’re just screwing up our system. We reserve the right to decline requests for separate checks for parties of six or more people, but we will gladly supply you with a calculator.
2. Tipping: Tipping is how our Servers and Bartenders make their living. Help us help you. If you ever feel that you have received substandard service, let the manager know before you leave. We really want to know if a Server or Bartender sucks.
3. Idiot-Free Zone: We strive to keep The Public House an “Idiot-Free Zone.” If you’re acting like an idiot, we’ll be sure to let you know–right before we throw you out.

The Public House folks, with a little help from myself and a few other selection committee members, will narrow down the field to a few finalists. Those designs will then be posted here on AltDaily and voted on by our readers. Collectively, the AltDaily vote, plus the votes of The Public House owners, will decide the winner.

The winner of the art contest will be awarded with the following: