Outdoor Interactive Sculpture Celebrating Chin Culture

The City of Lewisville is seeking artists to create a public art piece celebrating the culture of the Chin refugee community in Lewisville, Texas. More than 4,000 Chin residents live in Lewisville, many of whom fled oppression in Burma (now Myanmar) and represent the second-largest ethnic group in the city. The permanent stone sculpture will be installed in Central Park, located near Chin neighborhoods and churches, to tell the Chin story and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

The artwork must be composed primarily or entirely of stone and should provide visitors tactile interaction in addition to visual experience. The selection panel seeks a unique, one-of-a-kind piece appropriate for Central Park and the diverse community that uses it. Artists of Chin heritage or those with experience creating works about refugee communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The sculpture must be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for outdoor exposure, weather, physical stress, and potential vandalism. The selected artist will be expected to receive and consider input from members of Lewisville's Chin community during concept development, with the City facilitating these connections.

The budget for this commission is up to $90,000 USD, inclusive of all costs including design fees, consultation, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, travel, and contingency. Applicants must submit eight digital images of previously completed artworks, a résumé, and a statement of interest (no longer than 2,000 characters) via www.callforentry.org. Single artists and multi-person collaborative teams may apply. The selection process includes semifinalist selection (March/April), finalist selection and notification (May/June), and finalist presentations in Lewisville. Up to three finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium to prepare and present their proposal. The commission will be awarded to one finalist. This project is open to all U.S.-based artists; previous public art experience is not required, and emerging artists are welcome to apply.