Las Cruces Avenida de Mesilla and Motel Blvd I-10 Interchanges Art Project

The Art in Public Places (AIPP) program of New Mexico Arts and the Las Cruces-Mesilla Selection Committee, with funding from the NM Department of Transportation, are seeking an artist or artist team to create site-specific designs for two replacement interchanges to be constructed in Las Cruces-Mesilla, New Mexico. Professional artists living in New Mexico demonstrating experience commensurate with the project scope and budget are invited to submit qualifications. $25,000 is available for this project.

The Local Selection Committee is seeking designs for the I-10 interchanges at Avenida de Mesilla and Motel Blvd. Designs will be developed as small-scale bas-relief maquettes for final approval and should express local values, relate to local context, and provide a visual narrative for the traveling public. Images can be cast in concrete formliners and sandblasted into the interchange concrete bridge railings, abutments, and piers. The artist will be expected to be conversant with the selected media and address textures, colors, and form. The selected artist may be asked to consult regarding specifications and lighting during the design process. Through public input, the design themes are "Mesilla Gateway" for the Avenida de Mesilla interchange and "Pre-Historic Trackways to Space" for the Motel Blvd interchange. Themes may be interpreted symbolically or figuratively.

The selected artist will be expected to attend all meetings (Las Cruces or Socorro) for the design and approvals process, with a minimum of six meetings required. The artist is responsible for all material costs through the design phase, including 3-dimensional scanning of completed models. The final deliverable will be a disk in Autocad with 4 sets of prints. Submissions must include a letter of interest, current resume or curriculum vitae, an annotated image list, and ten images of previously completed work. Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal and attend a site visit with a personal presentation to the Local Selection Committee and public. The artist or artist team awarded the commission will be required to enter into a Professional Services Contract with the State of New Mexico.