Horizon Drive Business Improvement District Call for Entry

Request for Qualifications for commissioning artwork(s) for the Horizon Drive District in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Horizon Drive District is partnering with the City of Grand Junction and the Colorado Department of Transportation for significant reconstruction of Horizon Drive at the I-70 overpass. Artwork will be sited within roundabouts where interstate off-ramps merge with Horizon Drive and potentially at additional prominent locations in the Entry Experience Area.

The north end of Horizon Drive points to the Bookcliffs, prominent geologic features where wild horses roam freely. The south end points to downtown Grand Junction. The HDD previously commissioned mosaic tiling of the underpass with wild horses as the theme and seeks to continue this theme with artwork in the Entry Experience Area. Artwork should reinforce the strength and individuality of wild horses and the western community, blend cultural heritage with modern sensibility, be distinctive, dynamic, unique, contemporary, and larger-than-life, provide excitement for visitors and residents, and create a lasting image that brands the corridor. Artwork will be viewed from vehicles, buses, bicycles, and by pedestrians and must be durable without inviting pedestrians to climb on it. Scale is estimated between 1.5X and 2X life size. Works in various media including metal, stone, and fiberglass will be considered.

Eligible artists must be age 21 and over and able to show images of original creations similar in size and theme to the project. Selection will be based on past artwork experience, style, concept, ability to comply with timeline, and references. The HDD budget is estimated at $250,000, including artist's design fee, travel, materials, fabrication costs, insurance, documentation, and transportation and installation. Finalists will be compensated $1,000 each for participation in the proposal stage. Artwork installation is targeted for March 2016. Applicants must submit six digital images of completed work with an annotated image list including title, date, medium, size, location, and purchase or commissioned price. Up to three selections of support materials such as reviews and news articles are optional.