David Scull Park Public Art Project

The City of Rockville is seeking an established public artist to create a gateway artwork and signage for David Scull Park, located at 1133 First Street, Rockville, MD 20850. The park is 4.10 acres and includes a baseball/softball field, basketball court, playground, and picnic amenities. The artwork will serve as both an entrance piece and park identifier, welcoming visitors to the park and the surrounding East Rockville and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.

The artwork will be installed at the park's main entrance on the corner of Taft Street and Gude Drive. A 40-foot-long wall (20 feet on each side) and 2'6" wide will be constructed, with a maximum combined height of 15 feet for the wall and artwork. The artwork must be suitable for public viewing by all ages, incorporate natural elements such as native birds, animals, insects, plants, and flowers, and feature inviting shapes and colors that blend with the environment. No lighting elements are permitted as the park lacks a power source. All materials and methods must prioritize durability, ease of maintenance, and safety, and must be approved by the City of Rockville.

The all-inclusive budget is $140,000-$200,000, covering design work, engineering, fabrication, delivery, site preparation, installation, liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, travel, and the artist's fee. Applicants must submit a CV/resume with website and social media links, a list of three recent public art commissions with contact information, three professional references, up to ten images of completed installed works with titles, media, location, year, and budget for each, and an artist statement addressing artistic practice, key themes, and community engagement methods. The selected artist will be required to meet with residents for an in-person workshop before final design approval. Target installation timeline is calendar year 2027 or 2028. Finalists will receive a $750 honorarium to develop a site-specific proposal and will have travel accommodations covered by the city.