ENMU Portales Site Specific Sculpture Commission Project

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and Eastern New Mexico University seek to commission an artist or artist team to create and install an exterior sculpture on the quad in front of the Administrative Building on the ENMU Portales campus. The artwork must be constructed of materials that will survive permanent outdoor installation in the Eastern New Mexico climate with regular exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain in a high traffic public area.

The Local Selection Committee requests a representational bronze sculpture installation depicting a pack of greyhounds in distinctive sizes and age ranges (scaled to 1.25-1.5 size) arranged in various poses throughout the identified location on the quad. The installation should allude to the university's greyhound mascot and the "tremendous sense of family" the university seeks to engender among its students. The artwork will serve as the primary entry point when welcoming new students and provide a backdrop for campus events such as homecoming and graduation. ENMU will collaborate with the selected artist/artist team on the final design, including an evocative high-desert landscape backdrop of stones and native plants, at the university's expense.

The project budget is $276,000, which includes all fees and expenses associated with the project (materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and documentation). The designated site is situated within the rectangular quad north of the Administration Building, measuring just over 30,500 square feet, with the installation activating a smaller portion in the center. The artwork must be durable, low maintenance, permanent, safe for children and adults, and meet all applicable code requirements including ADA compliance. Artwork intended for indoor display, consisting exclusively of 2D artworks, or incorporating water features will not be considered. Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and receive a $1,000 honorarium plus travel stipend. Finalists will be required to present in-person on the ENMU campus in Portales. The artist or artist team ultimately awarded the commission will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the State of New Mexico.