City of Wilmington: Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park Sculpture

The City of Wilmington seeks an artist or team to create and install a high-quality public art sculpture for Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. The available budget is up to $220,000, inclusive of all artist/designer expenses, insurance, research, design, travel, fabrication, construction, transportation, materials, fees, and installation costs.

Wilmington, Delaware was a major station on the Underground Railroad. The sculpture should speak to the relationship between Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett (who lived in Wilmington) in efforts to free slaves, and symbolize the importance of whites and blacks working together on the Underground Railroad to aid fugitive slaves escaping the South in search of freedom in the North.

The selection process is two-phase. Phase I requires submission of portfolios and 2-dimensional sketches of initial ideas. Eligible artists must have previous experience in the design, construction, and installation of figurative sculpture for outdoor public spaces. Submissions must include: a current resume (maximum 3 pages), up to 10 images of recent/relevant work in JPG format, three references with complete contact information, up to three selections of supporting materials, and a letter of interest with style discussion, conceptual theme, preliminary black-and-white sketch/renderings (no larger than 8½ x 11"), and a statement on ability to complete and coordinate installation by the deadline. Three to four qualified artists will be selected as semifinalists to submit formal proposals in Phase II. The Selection Committee will evaluate submissions based on artistic excellence and originality, appropriateness of medium and style, ability to respond to site-specific design challenges, experience with similar projects, and ability to capture the essence of Wilmington's role in the Underground Railroad. Semifinalists will receive a stipend to complete Phase II requirements. The winning artist will be announced February 1, 2012, with sculpture installation by August 15, 2012, and dedication ceremony on August 21, 2012 (Harriet Tubman's birthday).