Bleachery Heritage Project Sculpture

Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation and the City of Rock Hill seek an artist or team of artists to design an outdoor sculpture for the Bleachery Heritage Project at University Center, a former textile mill site on the National Register of Historic Places. The sculpture will be a primary focal point in a central grassy plaza approximately 200 feet long by 25 feet wide.

The artist should incorporate two key elements from the historic Bleachery: a large roller print machine that was central to operations beginning in 1929, and a large stone archway that once served as the main entry to the site. The design should interpret the Bleachery, its people, the cloth printing process, and the skilled artisans who engraved patterns on copper rollers. The selected artist will work as part of a design team with the site developer, civil engineer/landscape architect, and City staff to engage the community and incorporate locally inspired themes.

The commission for artist engagement and design is $30,000, intended to cover all associated costs including artist and apprentice fees, materials, travel, and convening expenses. Up to three finalists will be selected by a juried panel and invited to visit Rock Hill to present design proposals. Finalists will devise a plan for significant community involvement and a one-week artist residency program with local schools. Each finalist will be reimbursed up to $500 for presentation visit expenses. Required materials include a one-page letter of interest, résumé (two pages per person), 5-10 digital images as high-quality JPEGs, an image list with specifications, three examples of community engagement projects, and at least three professional references. An optional one-page statement of intent may be submitted. Submissions are due electronically by September 10, 2019.