Town of Davidson: Sensory Garden for Roosevelt Wilson Park

Roosevelt Wilson Park is located on Griffith Street, the main arterial road into the Town of Davidson. The park contains playground equipment, a picnic shelter, restrooms, benches, and a one-acre pond with a fountain. Elementary school children walk to the park for recess on an almost-daily basis and residents from surrounding neighborhoods use the park with their children. A multi-year enhancement plan for the park is underway, including new pathways, boardwalks, landscaping, and improved playground features.

The Town of Davidson seeks to commission an artist or small team to create a sculptural sensory garden. The town is open to suggestions from selected artists regarding the specific site within the park, with final approval by the Davidson Public Art Commission. Works must be fabricated in durable, permanent, outdoor media that is safe, easily maintained, and has proven viability in public artworks. All artwork must be original. A budget not to exceed $80,000 is available for one or more artworks and surrounding landscaping, including all design fees, execution, insurance, contingency and incidental costs, transportation, site preparation, landscaping, and installation.

This is an open competition for professional artists from the southeast and east coast with experience producing and installing successful public art projects and sensory gardens. The Davidson Public Art Commission will evaluate responses based on past experience, examples of similar completed works, project statements, and references. Semi-finalists will be interviewed via Skype, and a limited number will be invited to Davidson for a site visit and to develop proposals. One artist will ultimately be selected to develop the design, fabricate, and install the artwork. The artist will be required to carry general liability insurance. Responses must be submitted by April 1, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time and must include a current resume, statement of interest, three references from clients on similar projects, and 3-6 artwork images with medium, dimensions, location, and cost information. Questions may be directed to Kim Fleming, Economic Development Manager, at [email protected] or (704) 940-9622.