City of Clearwater: Paul Owens Training Facility at Carpenter Complex Public Art Commission

The City of Clearwater Public Art & Design Program is commissioning an artist or artist team to create an original piece of public art that serves as a memorial to Paul Owens and his legacy with the Philadelphia Phillies, most notably during Spring Training at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater.

The Paul Owens Training Facility at Carpenter Complex is a four-field complex located in Clearwater, Florida. The facility opened as Carpenter Field in 1967 and is the Florida home of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball operations and spring training site for the Phillies' minor league players. Following renovations in 2009, the facility was renamed in honor of Paul "The Pope" Owens, long-time Phillies baseball operations director and general manager. Owens served in every level of player development during his Phillies career and under his direction, the Phillies twice claimed the title of National League Champions (1980, 1983) and the franchise's first World Series Championship in 1980.

The budget for this commission is $30,000 USD, inclusive of all costs including the artist's design fee, consultation fees, structural engineering, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, and contingency. This public art commission is open to all professional artists and artist teams residing within the United States. Artists living and working within Florida are strongly encouraged to apply but will not receive special consideration due to residency. Applications must include six images, a current artist's resume emphasizing public art projects, and a letter of interest describing why you are interested in this project. An Artist Selection Panel will select approximately three finalists to create site-specific proposals. Finalists will receive $500 USD honoraria. Project completion and dedication is tentatively scheduled for December 2011. All artwork must be fabricated using durable, low-maintenance materials that will withstand Florida's heat, humidity, sunlight, and hurricane-force winds.