Raton/Clayton Interchange Bridge Art Project

The New Mexico Department of Transportation's Bridge Art Program is seeking an artist or artist team to create site-specific designs for the Raton/Clayton Interchange at I-25 and US 64/87 in Raton, New Mexico. The design should express local values, relate to the local context, and provide a visual narrative for the traveling public. The images will be cast with form liners into concrete bridge abutments, bridge wing walls, and wall barriers, with metal pedestrian railing also available as an art surface. The artist should be conversant with the selected media and address textures, colors, and form. The artwork will enhance the current bridge design which includes four railroad station style towers, and should consider the Federal Highway Administration's Gateway Monument Program Guidelines.

The artwork should complement the City of Raton's Branding Style Guide and color palette, incorporating one or more of the following themes: Gateway to New Mexico, Raton's Mainstreet and Downtown District, Santa Fe Trail imagery, Multi-Cultural Community, or Local Wildlife. This call is free to apply and is open to artists from New Mexico and Colorado. Preference may be given to Colfax County residents. Five semi-finalist artists will each receive an honorarium of $1,000 and will have six weeks to prepare an artwork proposal for presentation to the Local Selection Committee. One artist will be commissioned with an award of approximately $23,500, which includes all fees, expenses, travel costs, and New Mexico gross receipts tax. The commissioned artist must attend all design and approval meetings (estimated three meetings plus additional as necessary) and present their final proposal at a public meeting. All maquettes, samples, and written proposals become the property of NMDOT. The artist is responsible for material costs through the design phase and must enter into a contractual agreement with the engineering consultant.

Submissions must include a written letter of interest addressing the project needs and the artist's qualifications, a current resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant experience particularly in public art or commissioned projects, 3 to 10 images of previously completed work with annotated details (title, media, dimensions, year, project description, budget, commissioning agency), and proof of residency in New Mexico or Colorado. All materials must be submitted in digital format. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.