7/20 Memorial Public Art Competition

The City of Aurora, CO and the 7/20 Memorial Foundation are seeking an artist to create a permanent memorial to honor those whose lives were lost or changed as a result of the tragic events of July 20, 2012, when 12 people were killed and 70 injured at a movie theatre in Aurora. The memorial will be situated within a Reflections Garden at the Aurora Water-Wise Demonstration Garden, located at East Alameda Parkway and Chambers Road, just south of the Municipal Center building.

The 7/20 Memorial site will occupy approximately 2,500 square feet at the east end of the Reflections Garden. The Foundation seeks to create a place of solace and healing that conveys the strength of the community, positive energy, and love for those who have passed. The artwork should be enduring in both material and content, conveying a sense of the spiritual without embracing any specific religious theme. The Foundation is interested in symbols found in art and nature, including natural phenomena such as wind and sound. Poetry and the written word may also be appropriate. Sculptural seating elements can be considered as a component. The memorial should reflect the context of the water-wise demonstration garden (water features are not appropriate) and should not advance controversial, political, or shocking themes.

Materials must be durable and appropriate for exterior applications in the Front Range climate of Colorado, with temperatures ranging from sub-zero to over 100 degrees and exposure to snow, hail, wind, and extreme sun. Solar powered or electrical lighting elements may be used. The Foundation has committed a minimum of $200,000 for design, fabrication, and installation. This call is open to artists legally residing in the USA. Submission materials include 8-10 images of past work, a resume not exceeding two pages, a statement describing your interest in the project and relevant skills, and names and contact information for three professional references. Finalists will be notified by 3/1/2017, with finalist presentations on 4/20/2017 and a desired installation completion date of 5/15/2018.