Interactive Alligator Sculpture at Phinizy Center for Water Sciences

The Greater Augusta Arts Council, on behalf of the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences, is requesting proposals from qualified sculptors or artist teams to create a unique, durable, low-maintenance, interactive, safe to touch, life-sized sculpture of an alligator to be placed on the grounds of the Phinizy Center. The sculpture will be located in a shaded area beneath a live oak tree, across a grassy sward from the play area. The sculpture is intended to last for 50 years minimum in good condition, and to be a touchable, climbable, realistic representation of an alligator that younger park guests can interact with.

The selected artist will receive a stipend of $15,000 to cover all expenses associated with envisioning, creation, transport, and installation of the sculpture. Payment will be made in three installments: $5,000 upon contract execution, $5,000 upon satisfactory mid-way progress, and $5,000 upon satisfactory installation in February 2024. The artist is responsible for transportation and installation costs regarding site preparation.

Eligibility is open to professional sculptors and artist teams residing in the Southeast region of the United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Proof of residency is required. All team members must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the United States. Phinizy Center employees are not eligible. Artists may apply up to 5 times with separate proposals, but each application must be for one individual design.

The sculpture must be structurally sound and durable with little to no maintenance beyond routine cleaning. It must withstand adverse weather conditions common to the Augusta River Region, including hot summers, cold winters, humidity, heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms, and occasional snow. The work must be suitable for pedestrian interaction with low exposure to injury, with no sharp parts. If meant to be sat upon or climbed on, the climbable area must be no higher than two feet from the ground with no danger of children catching fingers or toes in gaps. The sculpture must recognizably and preferably realistically represent an alligator, with dimensions not higher than approximately half a meter in areas where a child might sit and 2.5–5 meters in length.

Applications must include 3-7 images of past work, artist resume, proposal image in PDF or JPG format, description of proposal, installation plan, project budget, professional references, and proof of residency. Selection criteria include regional residency, qualifications and experience in creating and installing public sculptures, proposal clarity and organization, aesthetic appeal of portfolio and proposed sculpture, appropriateness of proposal, clear installation plan, feasibility in relation to budget and timeline, and professional references.