Uptown Trees 2021-2022

The City of Greeley is seeking up to three additional sculptural art trees to complete the Uptown Tree program, which links the University of Northern Colorado campus to downtown Greeley with a trail of artwork. The program began in 2014 with ten trees and currently includes 28 trees along the 8th Avenue corridor.

Up to three art trees will be installed in June 2022. Each sculpture should be visually diverse and designed to withstand Colorado's weather extremes with little or no maintenance. Designs may range from literal to surreal, interactive, musical, or abstract forms. All artwork must be balanced in a tree-like pose around a trunk and rooted in a large planter box. A budget of up to $12,000 per sculpture covers design fees, execution, transportation, and installation assistance. Proposals exceeding the budget will not be considered.

Proposals must include a resume, up to six digital images of past works, three digital images of the proposed sculpture (drawings or photos showing three views), and a written Letter of Intent describing the design approach, materials, understanding of the site context, and relevant experience. Up to six semi-finalists will be selected by October 20, 2021, to submit detailed 3-D models at 1-foot to 1-inch scale by December 1, 2021 (artists receive a $300 stipend for model creation). Up to three final artists will be notified by December 15, 2021, and will fabricate sculptures between December 2021 and May 2022, providing monthly progress updates. Artists must obtain Commercial General Liability Insurance, design self-contained artwork with no electrical power, follow City sign code, use a steel or aluminum pole with 6-inch outside diameter (maximum 20 feet high), and ensure all artwork elements remain at least 10 feet from ground level. The selection committee will assess proposals on aesthetic merit, originality, creativity, appropriateness to the corridor, structural soundness, vandal resistance, and safety.