Vaughan Brothers Tribute at Kiest Park

The City of Dallas Public Art Program seeks qualifications for a new art project that will celebrate and honor the contributions of Dallas musicians Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan. The selected artist(s) will create an artwork integrated into the selected site at Kiest Park and enhance the experience of visitors to the park.

Sibling blues guitarists Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan were born and raised near Kiest Park in Dallas, Texas. Jimmie Vaughan formed the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974. Stevie Ray Vaughan formed Double Trouble and achieved international recognition following his appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982, leading to a recording contract with Epic Records and the release of albums including Texas Flood (1983), Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984), and Soul to Soul (1985). The brothers produced a duo recording project titled Family Style in 1990. Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, just before the album's release. The Vaughan brothers are recognized as two of the greatest blues musicians and important figures in the blues revival of the 1980s. Stevie Ray Vaughan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, 2015.

The site is located at 2405 Cliff Teen Court, Dallas, Texas 75233, just past the entrance to Kiest Park from Hampton Road. It is highly visible on an open and level area visible from Hampton Road and Perryton Road, accessible near the walking trail and parking, and does not interfere with utilities or nearby trees. Artists must consider the character of the surrounding neighborhood and respond to the park's specific design and patterns of use. The artwork should visually engage commuters on Hampton Road and Perryton Drive.

Eligibility: All artists are eligible to apply except those currently under contract with the City of Dallas Public Art Program, City of Dallas employees and their families, consultants under contract for any phase of this project, and undergraduate students. Artists will be selected based on quality of concept, design and craftsmanship, visual and technical innovation, creativity, demonstrated ability to produce durable outdoor art, proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with project managers and community stakeholders, ability to attend or participate in meetings (by phone acceptable), and demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget. All applicants must attest they are eighteen years of age or older.

Submission materials required: resume highlighting relevant previous experience, six JPEG images of previous public art, park or outdoor sculpture projects, image list identifying title, date, location, materials, size, budget and commissioning entity, letter of interest outlining qualifications and ability to complete the project, and names and contact information of three references. Submissions must be made through CaFE at www.callforentry.org. Emailed submissions will not be accepted. Submission deadline: January 15, 2016.

A panel of arts professionals and community representatives will review qualified submissions in January 2016. A small group of artists will be short-listed and contracted to develop a site-specific concept for artwork. Each selected artist will receive a $3,000 stipend to cover costs of site visits, site research, production of a site-specific public art concept proposal, shipping of the maquette (where applicable), and travel to present the proposal to a selection panel.