Overview

About Cape Coral:   

Cape Coral is a city located in Lee County, Florida, on the Caloosahatchee River which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The city was founded in 1957 by brothers Jack and Leonard Rosen and developed as a planned community. Promoted as a “Waterfront Wonderland,” Cape Coral has over 400 miles of navigable waterways, more than any other city in the world. With an area of close to 120 square miles, Cape Coral is geographically the second-largest city in Florida and the largest city between Tampa and Miami. The character of a place is created by the physical environment and the activities that happen there. South Cape can best be described as diverse and eclectic, punctuated by original modern elements. The goal of the Community Redevelopment Agency is to facilitate the emergence of a vibrant urban village where people of all ages live, work, shop and find entertainment. Many of the dining and entertainment establishments in the South Cape emulate a quirky and relaxed atmosphere.

The Entertainment District is in the heart of the CRA. It has great energy and concentration of active uses, including the Big John Shopping Center and concentrated uses along Vincennes Boulevard and SE 47th Terrace, both of which are important streets in South Cape. The sub-district includes one of the largest municipally owned parking lots that serve many of the existing adjacent uses. The parking lot is also a venue for events and festivals held by the CRA.

Project Scope:

The Community Redevelopment Agency invites artists to submit their artwork to enhance the sight of necessary concrete dumpster enclosures located in parking lots along SE 47th Terrace. The ideal artwork will include an eclectic use of mixed media materials and colors to improve visual interest in the surrounding streetscape. Themes include but are not limited to nightlife atmosphere, natural environment, abstract and non-representational artwork.

This project will escalate the aesthetic of South Cape's scenery and will incorporate the arts into everyday life for both residents and visitors. Designs must be suitable for the entire community to view. Designs shall not depict religious or partisan themes, inappropriate imagery (profanity, nudity, violence, illegal activity, etc.), nor constitute defamation, nor include any hidden, subliminal, or camouflaged messages of any kind.

Designs may not include a logo, trade name, or copyrighted or trademarked image and must be an original design created by the artist or team of artists submitting. Images that convey messages appearing to advertise or promote a private entity (corporation, neighborhood business, chamber of commerce, or other community organization) will not be accepted. If artwork includes photography of partially or entirely recognizable people, the artist must provide the city with release statements from all parties. Artwork must be original, and artists must be able to install the selected artwork.

Specifications:

The CRA is looking for artists to submit the exact design that will be installed, not a general concept. If the design changes by more than 30%, approval is required for proposed changes. A material list is required for all submissions. Artists can include past projects as attachments in the resume section to show the jury previous works completed.

Artists are to cover the external/outside visible surface of the walls only, not the inside, concrete floor or actual dumpsters. Designs should contribute to the visual quality of the encompassed area. Artists should keep in mind how the mixed media mural will look in an urban landscape (e.g., in a parking lot) and from a distance. Each enclosure has a wall that is 12’ by 5.5’ and two side walls that are 8’ by 5.5’ totaling 154 square feet.

Artists may use Golden mural paint, Sherwin Williams “Resilience” exterior latex paint, tile mosaics and mixed media materials to complete this project. Mixed media items must be securely attached and cannot protrude more than four inches off the surface of the concrete enclosure. Artists and artist teams may be selected to do one or more concrete enclosures based on designs submitted. Each concrete enclosure will have different artwork. All materials must be able to withstand Florida’s extreme temperatures, sunlight, wind and rain.

Compensation:

Funding is provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Selected artists or artist teams will receive a $2,695.00 artist stipend for each concrete enclosure they are assigned. A price of $17.50/square foot has been used to calculate this artist stipend. Payments will be made upon completion of the project. Allow a 4-6 week processing period for notification and payment. It is the selected artists’ responsibility to complete a City of Cape Coral vendor registration and obtain onsite insurance. Coverage shall be in place before the commencement of work and throughout the duration of the contract.

Application Requirements

Selection Process:

The Community Redevelopment Agency Commissioners will review each artist’s statement of intent and images. Upon viewing, the Commissioners will score each artwork. The highest-scored images will be presented to the Community Redevelopment Agency Commissioners during an open meeting where they will discuss artist submissions. Thereafter, the Committee will approve selected artworks to be installed on concrete enclosures located in South Cape. The CRA reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal or group of proposals. Artists will not be presenting their concepts to the CRA board. All information must be included in the Call to Artists application. Applications missing information will be disqualified.

Selection Criteria:

The Commissioners will review the artwork based on characteristics proposed in this Call to Artists, originality, artistic excellence, innovation and concept as well as cultural connection to the community. All artworks must be submitted digitally to Callforentry.org. Selected proposals will demonstrate high-quality design and originality, with work that will enhance the surrounding areas of the concrete enclosures. Artists may utilize a single design that can wrap around the sides of the wall, creating a single uniform image, or individual images on each side.

Submission Requirements:  

Contact information - Email, phone, mailing address, website. 

Statement of Intent - Brief statement describing your interest in the project and your artist statement (Maximum 1,000 words). 

Image - Artists can submit up to three (3) designs to be considered for the Concrete Enclosure Public Art Project. Images must be in JPG format.

Image Requirements for submission through CAFE: 

Artists are required to submit the foregoing on the CAFÉ site (www.callforentry.org) at no charge. This online application process requires that all images and materials be submitted in digital format. For digital image requirements for submission, please visit CAFÉ’s Image Prep section. 

Submission Deadline: 

Midnight MST, Sunday, April 2, 2023. 

Additional Information: 

General questions may be directed to: 

Samantha Ellis
Senior Recreation Specialist
Cape Coral Art Center, Parks and Recreation Department
City of Cape Coral
239-242-3803
artcenter@capecoral.gov
 

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be 18 years or older and be a current resident of Lee County.