2023 Uptown Trees

The City of Greeley is seeking up to three additional sculptural art trees to continue the Uptown Tree program, which links the University of Northern Colorado campus to downtown Greeley with a trail of artwork. This project is a collaboration with the LINC Library Innovation Center and the Downtown Development Authority. The program began in 2014 with ten trees and currently includes 30 sculptures.

Up to three art trees will be installed in June 2023 at three different locations: the Library Innovation Center (LINC), a newly constructed building at 8th Ave & 11th St, and the refurbished Firestone building. Each location has specific requirements. The LINC location requires a water and/or innovation theme, with elements no lower than 10 feet from ground level. The other two locations are near the curb/street with no parts extending past the planter on the street side; elements hanging over the sidewalk must be at least 10 feet above ground level. Art tree designs may range from literal to surreal, interactive, musical, or abstract. Any form balanced in a tree-like pose sculpted around a trunk and rooted in a large planter box meets the program's definition.

A budget of up to $12,000 per sculpture covers design fees, execution, transportation, and installation assistance. The City provides the concrete foundation and planter. Artwork must be original or limited edition, fully self-contained with no electrical power, and designed to withstand Colorado's weather extremes including 120 mph winds. Artists must obtain Commercial General Liability Insurance naming the City of Greeley as sole beneficiary. Proposals must include a resume, three digital images of past works, three views of the proposed sculpture, and a letter of intent describing the design approach, understanding of the site context, and relevant experience. The selection committee will assess proposals on aesthetic merit, originality, creativity, appropriateness to the corridor, structural soundness, vandal resistance, and safety. Up to six finalists will be selected to submit detailed 3-D models at 1 ft:1 in scale and receive a $300 stipend. Up to three final artists will be notified in January 2023 to begin fabrication, with monthly progress updates required.