SW 86th Avenue Pump Station Public Art Project

The Regional Arts & Culture Council invites artists living in Oregon and Washington to submit qualifications for an exterior public art project at the City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) SW 86th Avenue Pump Station. The project site is located in the Vista Brook neighborhood of Washington County, just south of SW 86th Avenue and Scholls Ferry Road, at the intersection of the Fanno Creek Trail and SW 86th. One artist/team will be selected for a project budget of approximately $30,000. The project must be installed no later than Fall 2015.

Construction is underway for an expanded wastewater station adjacent to the existing Fanno Pump Station. The new facility will include a wet well and pump facility, as well as concrete buildings with eco-roofs housing electrical, mechanical, compressor operations and surge tanks. A 4-5 foot berm with native plantings will surround the majority of the new pump station. The site is adjacent to an 8-foot wide paved section of the 15-mile Fanno Creek Trail, which serves approximately 10,000 daily users and weaves through five cities and two counties.

The committee seeks an artist/team to create an original artwork that communicates the ideas of journey and environmental stewardship. Journey can be viewed in multiple ways, including the stories found in and around the site—the natural environment and the science associated with the area, the surrounding communities, and the area's history. The artwork must be located outside of the gated area, either on or along the fence, gate, or along the trail adjacent to the site. Artwork must be durable and appropriate to the environment. Applicants must be currently living in Oregon or Washington. Individuals currently enrolled in a degree-granting art program are not eligible. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Applications require a statement of interest (2000 characters maximum), résumé with three professional references, 6-10 images of past work with details, and up to 2 videos (3 minutes maximum each).