Southside Community Center Public Art RFQ

The Beach and Peach Urban Park, a 68-acre nature preserve in the Southside Estates area of southeast Jacksonville, is seeking an outdoor sculpture for its newly constructed 6,600 square foot Community Center. The sculpture should engage and accent the surrounding landscape, inspired by the textures and aesthetics of the flora and fauna of Duval County and/or the natural life cycle, as well as the coastal/river/pond theming represented in the community center's interior design. The sculpture may be representational or abstract and can consist of a variety of materials and techniques, provided the work is durable, made to withstand a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, heavy rains, and high winds, discourages climbing, and is vandal resistant. Structural designs must comply with the Florida Building Code, including FBC Building Section 1609 Wind Loads and City of Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 320.103 – Wind Zones.

Four location options are available: Option 1 is a rectangular space (41.5ft x 17ft) between the exterior patio and pond, preferred for low horizontal sculpture; Option 2 is a trapezoidal space to the west of the patio at the intersection of two pathways, accommodating more vertical work; Option 3 is located east of the building, flanked by a large sand mound; Option 4 is at the building entrance with two small areas (8' wide by 50') that could accommodate one or two small sculptures. Only one sculpture will be commissioned. The artist shall be responsible for developing a budget that includes all aspects of design, fabrication, transportation, foundation, installation, and lighting.

Artists must be over 21 years old, not students in a formal degree program, and have been practicing artists for more than three years. Artists who are immediate family members or business partners of APPC or ASP members are ineligible. Selected artists will be required to meet with community members and stakeholders to gather information and provide a design concept responding to the community. Work samples should include 4-8 images and 0-2 videos (4-10 total samples). The project budget is $32,000. Anticipated timeline includes artist selection panel review April 26-29, 2022, in-person meetings May 2-5 and May 9-12, 2022, artist notification May 13, 2022, community engagement May 23-June 2, 2022, concept design development June 3-17, 2022, final design due June 27, 2022, site preparation and installation November 2022-February 2023, and dedication ceremony February 24, 2023.