Seattle Public Utilities Solid Waste Transfer Stations Artist-in-Residence Projects

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities, is seeking two artists for artist residencies—one at the North Transfer Station and one at the South Transfer Station. The residencies will occur in two phases. In Phase I, the artist will investigate activities at the transfer stations (including recycling and reuse programs) and create temporary artworks. In Phase II, the artist will work with the design team for the respective transfer station to develop permanent artworks integrated into new facilities to be rebuilt on the existing sites. Temporary artworks can potentially be integrated into new replacement facilities.

The North Transfer Station is located at 1350 North 34th St. in Seattle, near the intersection of Stone Way North in a residential area between the neighborhoods of Fremont and Wallingford. The South Transfer Station is located at 8100 Second Ave. S. in Seattle, in the industrial area of South Park near the Duwamish River. Both stations serve residents bringing excess solid waste and recycling materials.

Two artists will be selected, one for each transfer station. The total commission is $140,000, provided in phases: Phase I (residency and temporary work) is $50,000, and Phase II (design and permanent artwork fabrication and installation) is $90,000. The competition is open to established professional artists working within Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California. Students are not eligible. Application requirements include 16 artwork images, a letter of interest (not to exceed 2000 characters), and a resume. Artists will be selected based on strength and artistic merit of past works, ability and experience creating site-specific artwork, ability to collaborate, and contribution to the diversity of the city's art collection. Notification of results will be by late October 2007.