Prairie Basin Park Public Art Project

Stapleton announces a public art opportunity for Prairie Basin Park with a commission of $175,000. The site is a 33-acre ecologically designed park in north Stapleton that functions as both a park and storm water management facility. The deepest part of the basin is approximately 15 feet below street level, with a concrete trail permitting travel through the park. A major feature is a circular promontory, 30 feet in diameter, overlooking the patterned landscape and offering views of the surrounding prairie-like environment and mountain vistas. The promontory and its surrounding area above the flood plain are potential locations for a signature artwork.

The Project Selection Committee seeks artwork that speaks to the environmental resource that is Prairie Basin Park, its function and its value to the larger community. The artwork may be a single element, multiple elements, or a series, and may provide shade. Artwork must be durable, require minimal and low-cost maintenance, and be able to withstand intense sun, snow, wind and temperature extremes characteristic of the Denver area. There is no power at the site. The artwork must not interfere with the purpose and function of Prairie Basin Park and must comply with City and County of Denver rules, regulations and guidelines applicable to the site and Denver Parks. Stapleton has adopted a Master Plan for Lighting including a "dark skies" initiative.

Applications must be submitted via CaFÉ at www.callforentry.org by midnight MDT on Friday, May 8, 2015. Each application must include a current resume for each artist/team member, six digital images of relevant work with annotation listing media, size, title, date and brief description, and an artist's statement not to exceed 300 words describing the artist's/team's approach to this type of project. On May 20th, the Project Selection Committee will review applications and invite three finalists to submit full proposals and receive a design fee and travel stipend. A site visit will be scheduled in early June. Final selection will occur on July 22nd, with the recommendation then reviewed by the Public Art Advisory Committee for Stapleton and referred to the Board of The Park Creek Metropolitan District for final approval.