Smither Park 2D & 3D Permanent Mosaic Installations

Smither Park is a permanent, family-friendly folk art and outsider art installation and community gathering space in southeast Houston, adjacent to the Orange Show. Set on a ½ acre lot running 400 feet wide by 50 feet deep, the park includes an amphitheater for performances, a covered pavilion for special events, a meditation garden, oversized bench swings, and an interactive tower. A memory wall runs along all 400 feet at the back of the park, covered in mosaic sculpture by over 50 different artists. The park was designed by visionary artist and builder Dan Phillips of Phoenix Commotion, known for innovative techniques utilizing 80% salvaged materials.

Eight projects are being commissioned with awards ranging from $3,000 to $25,000: Park Sidewalk South of Pavilion ($25,000), Park Sidewalk North of Pavilion ($12,000), Swingset ($15,000), Marble Roll Tower Base & Stairs ($5,000), and four pavilion gallery projects ($3,000-$4,000 each). Artists must be currently residing in Texas to be eligible. Materials used in mosaic sculptures are generally donated and/or repurposed; artists are encouraged to utilize repurposed materials to promote sustainability. Artists selected will work directly with Dan Phillips throughout completion.

Proposal requirements include: a maximum 1,000-word exhibition proposal, 10 digital images of past work and sketches of proposed work with a numbered image list, a project expense budget covering all related costs, a schedule of work to completion between March 1 – August 30, 2016, and an artist résumé with contact information. Artists involved with the park cannot pull ideas from inventory, copy others, or create works not in the spirit of visionary art. The park is family-friendly; political, sexual, religious, or personal agendas are not allowed in project designs. Selection will be made by a panel of jurors including curators, artists, and Orange Show Center stakeholders based on examples of past work and proposal strength. Finalists will be interviewed by Dan Phillips, Stephanie Smither, and Marilyn Oshman. Funds will be distributed as follows: first half upon acceptance, second half upon completion. Contact Kat Mims at 713-926-6368 or [email protected] for submission questions, or Dan Phillips at 936-581-5028 or [email protected] for proposal questions.