Sculpture on the Plaza Lakewood CO

The City of Lakewood Public Art Committee seeks to commission a sculptor or team of sculptors to create an exterior work of art for the Civic Center Plaza. The sculpture will be placed on a highly visible eight-foot round pedestal, fourteen inches high, located on the west end of the plaza. The pedestal will have three lights embedded at the outside edge and an electric conduit in the center for use by the artist in the design.

Eligibility is open to all professional artists and artist teams aged 18 and older residing in Colorado. Professional artists are defined as practicing fine artists generally recognized by critics and peers as professionals of serious intent and ability. Artists should consider elements including sense of arrival to the Civic Center, creating a one-of-a-kind timeless and iconic statement piece, sensitivity to the space, conveying community, and forward thinking. A combination of materials may be used and should be harmonious with the site and town character. Proposals must consider future maintenance, resistance to Colorado weather and vandalism, and prevent skateboarders from accessing the pedestal and artwork.

A minimum of three finalists will be selected and provided with an honorarium to conduct research, develop final proposals including a maquette, and present to the Public Art Committee and community. The budget for the final sculpture is up to $80,000 USD, including design, engineering, transportation, and installation. Applications must include up to six images of past work (at least two from public art programs), a current artist's resume emphasizing public art projects, and a letter of interest describing why you are interested in this project. Selection will be based on strength and artistic merit of past works, experience and approach, and ability to complete a project of commensurate scope. The tentative schedule includes application review September 29, 2014, finalists selected September 30, 2014, maquette presentation November 1, 2014, contract awarded November 3, 2014, fabrication November-May, and installation May 2015.