Art in Public Buildings: University of Wyoming Aquatic Center

The University of Wyoming Aquatics Center is seeking artwork for a long feature wall leading to the pool from the main entrance. The wall is 43 feet long, 12 feet tall, and located in a hall 15 feet wide at the southeast corner at the intersection of North 22nd Street and East Willett Drive.

The artwork should engage well with the physical location in the building and the location in Wyoming. Submissions can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional and created in any material except water. Artists should consider the following themes: transparency, movement, light, human power, performance and athleticism, speed, and water/rivers as related to swimming. The artwork in the main hallway should be durable and touchable material due to high traffic. No actual water should be involved in the artwork due to maintenance concerns and Laramie's hard water. Proposed artwork, design elements, or finishes should not conflict with materials being used in the project.

The total project budget for artwork, installation, and artist stipend is $90,000.00. The selection committee will review submissions in March 2026. Selected artists will be invited to submit a complete formal design proposal in April/May 2026, including budget, timeline, renderings, drawings, or maquettes. Proposal packets must include design fees, material costs, labor for fabrication and installation, and all necessary costs for planning, completion, delivery, and installation. There will be modest financial compensation for final design proposals and presentations. Construction is underway with scheduled occupancy in Fall 2026 and artwork installation in January 2027.