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Project Description

LexArts Inc. in association Maker’s Mark Distillery seeks artists to create a Verre Eglomise commissioned work that celebrates the history of handmade craftsmanship in Maker’s Mark bourbon and the importance of water and nature in the distilling process. This artwork will be a focal point in a new bar area of the Victorian Homeplace where guests begin their distillery tour experience. Our goal is to commission proposals by three experienced Verre Eglomise artists for the site with the expectation of realizing one of the proposals by Fall 2022. There is no application fee to enter.

Project Budget

We anticipate that the project budget to be $60,000 - $100,000+. The budget is negotiable but must include travel, research, design, execution, insurance, taxes, site preparation and materials. Maker’s Mark will confirm the feasibility of completing the project within the estimated project budget and timeline during the design review.

Project Site

We are currently working on construction of a new high profile two-story bar area in the Homeplace, where we meet and greet our tour guests upon arrival at the distillery. Behind the bar we will showcase a Verre Eglomise piece that reflects and honors the handmade traditions at Maker’s Mark and our commitment to the environment. The competed artwork will be surrounded by a display of Maker’s Mark bottles.

The Verre Eglomise artwork will not exceed 9’ x 12’.

Additional context

Here at our national historic landmark distillery on Star Hill Farm in Central Kentucky, we have gone to great lengths to embrace and incorporate the visual arts into our campus as a reflection of our own attention to detail, hand-craftsmanship and inspiration that we pour into our products every day. We feature the work here of dozens of artists, including paintings, photography, decorative iron work and sculptures made from limestone, copper, glass and wood.

For example, in a warehouse connected to our gift shop, world-famed glass artist Dale Chihuly created a magnificent ceiling called “The Spirit of the Maker,” which is truly stunning and demonstrates how art can be incorporated into an unexpected setting in a way that creates a remarkably rich experience for team members and visitors alike.

Our appreciation of art comes naturally, since Margie Samuels, who co-founded Maker’s Mark in the 1950s along with her husband Bill, was a collector of fine English pewter. In fact, she named our bourbon after the ‘maker’s mark’ that artists would place on their finished work, taking pride in the quality of their efforts. Our team members display that same pride in their work here every day.

Timeline

Deadline for Artist Qualifications 11:59pm EST March 10, 2022

Selection Committee Review March 12, 2022

Artist Notification March 15, 2022

Artist Visit to Maker’s Mark between March 16 - April 29, 2022

Finalist Proposals Due/Presentations April 30, 2022

Finalist Notification May 5, 2022

Artwork Installation by Fall 2022

Application Guidelines

Apply online through http://www.callforentry.org

- A one page artist statement describing public art experience and interest in the project. (optional)

- A current resume

- Up to 10 digital images of past artwork.

For more information, please contact Nathan Zamarron at 859-255-2951 or nzamarron@lexarts.org

Eligibility

We are committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical disability. Any artist may apply.

Selection Process

The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of LexArts and Maker’s Mark representatives.

The three selected finalists will have the opportunity to visit the site, and meet with Maker’s Mark. If the artist travels to Kentucky from another state a stipend of $600 will be made available. Finalists will be paid $1,000 to develop a design and deliver a site specific proposal of composition, concept statement, timeline, budget, and process.

One artist or artist team will be selected to realize their proposal by Fall 2022.

Critical Qualification Selection Factors

• Resonance with the project description

• Artistic distinction

• Low maintenance, durability

• Site specific installations

The strength of the submitted images of past artworks demonstrating ability of the artist(s) to complete similar or related projects will be considered critical selection factors.

Request for Proposals

Successful proposals will be expected to provide:

•A working familiarity with Maker’s Mark and nature themes.

•A written document expressing the conceptual framework and artistic point of view that will guide development of the project;

•One or more drawings of the proposed work of art; samples are optional. Drawings and/or models should illustrate the conceptual relationships between the artwork and its environment.

•A timeline (Fall 2022 installation is ideal, artists will suggest a timeline that is realistic to them) and budget ($60,000 - $100,000+) for production and installation;

•A detailed list of materials and construction methods.

Research Links

Maker’s Mark • https://www.makersmark.com/

Maker’s Mark story https://www.makersmark.com/family

BCorp announcement https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/makers-mark-becomes-largest-distillery-in-the-world-to-achieve-b-corp-certification-301468602.html

Additional Info:

Kentucky Historical Society • http://history.ky.gov/

LexArts • http://www.LexArts.org

Application Requirements