Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center Percent for Art Project: Request for Qualifications or Existing Artworks 

The City of Eugene is issuing a Request for Qualifications for Muralists and a Request for Existing Artworks for Sculptors for the Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center Percent for Art Project. This mural commission or existing sculpture purchase is open to all professional artists who are located and working within Lane County, Oregon. Artists have the option to be considered for a commission of new mural artwork OR for a purchase of existing sculptural artwork.  

One artist or artist team can apply with up to five (5) existing works for purchase. Experienced artist without public art experience paired with an experienced public artist are encouraged to apply.  

The all-inclusive budget for this project is $10,000. This project is funded by the Percent for Art program, which allocates 1% of capital construction projects to foster public art in the City of Eugene. 

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. (PST) on March 30, 2023 

About the Location

Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center features a three-pool design that includes a 25-yard indoor pool, a deep diving well great for no-impact water aerobics and a brand-new warm-water pool. Programs include lap swimming, recreational swims, water-based fitness classes and fitness center workouts and rentals. 

The adjoining Sheldon Community Center, which should also be considered as part of this project's location, provides recreation services to all ages and parts of the community including preschool classrooms, school-age afterschool and summer camp programs, teen leadership programs, adult wellness, art, social activities, facility rentals and large community events. It is known for having the only indoor gym in Eugene Rec, as well as a large aquarium and nature play area.

Learn more about Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center: https://www.eugene-or.gov/3267/Sheldon-Pool  

Learn more about Sheldon Communiuty Center: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4296/Sheldon-Community-Center 

Existing Artwork

There are two existing and distinct murals at Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center and Sheldon Community Center, created by youth and staff during summer camps. The existing mural artworks contain themes of water, biodiversity, local ecology, climate change, vibrant colors and a hopeful lens of protecting our natural world. 

Artists are encouraged to visit Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center to better familiarize themselves with the existing artwork. Strong submissions or proposals will unify and contrast the existing artwork already on the site.

Possible Artwork Zones 

Three (3) exterior zones have been identified by the selection committee as possible locations for either a commissioned mural or purchased (existing) sculptural artwork. Finalists will have the opportunity to do a site visit with the selection committee to better understand each artwork zone in advance of proposal or installation presentations.

Zone #1: Exterior Wall (Commission or Purchase) 

Zone #1 is facing the parking lot and includes existing murals. The exterior wall material is corrugated metal. Attached lightweight panels may need to be considered if the artist is proposing a mural. 

This zone is ideal for a panel mural or attached sculpture series with the opportunity to extend the series around the corner. Only the top third of the exterior wall is included in this zone so that the artwork will be visible as the trees grow into the future.

Zone #2: Exterior Pathways and Stairs (Commission) 

Zone #2 includes the plane of the pathways and stairs leading to the entrance of the pool. The artist should utilize StreetBond or similar product for painting on pavement. This zone includes an existing mural.

Zone #3: Exterior Front Entry Concrete Pad (Purchase) 

Zone #3 is ideal for a sculpture. The concrete pad is 5x5 feet wide. This area can hold a sculpture with an approximate weight of up to 3,500 lbs. or 2,000 PSI.

View Site Details

Potential Goals and Themes 

• Reflecting water, nature
• Community engagement
• Non-representational design that unifies and contrasts existing murals
• Wayfinding from parking lot
• Builds the identity of Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center and Sheldon Community Center, differentiating from neighboring Sheldon High School building 
• Space serves young and old, with a hope to draw teens

Timeline 

• March 30, 2023 – Applications due
• Late March to early April 2023 – Application review by Selection Committee, select three finalists
• Mid-April 2023 – Site visit with three finalists
• End of May or Early June 2023 – Artist presentations, award one commission or purchase
• July-September 2023 – Installation

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements 

Artists must submit all materials and information listed below. Note that images and videos should be titled as follows: last name_first initial_image number. All materials shall be submitted through CaFE by March 30 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

1. Statement of Interest: Up to 500-word statement of interest offering a brief overview of the artist’s professional and creative approach to making site specific and community engaged artwork and interest in this project’s site, goals and themes. Indicate if you are applying for a commission of new work or for a purchase of existing work.  

The statement of interest may be uploaded as a written document, audio file, or video file. Video and audio files should be 1-2 minutes in length with the following format: WMV, MOV or MP4 under 100MB with a minimum resolution of 640x480 and a minimum frame rate of 12fps.

2. Resume/CV: Please do not exceed two pages. Artists submitting as teams must submit individual resumes. 

3. References: Provide three professional references with contact information from individuals with whom you have worked or collaborated on site-specific projects. References will be contacted for artists invited to develop site-specific proposals. 

4. Portfolio or Images (from your CaFE account Work Sample): 

• If applying for a commission of a new mural: Submit six (6) images of past projects, especially projects of comparable size and scope. Include the title, medium, dimensions, project budget, year completed and location in the image notes. Teams must remain within the 6-image limit. Images should represent each team-members’ work. Image specifications: JPEG or JPG, under 5MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. Note that images and videos should be titled as follows: last name_first initial_image number (jpeg/jpg). 
• If applying for a purchase of existing sculpture: Submit six (6) images of the artwork for purchase. Include the title, medium, dimensions, sale price, year completed and location in the image notes. Image specifications: JPEG or JPG, under 5MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side. Note that images and videos should be titled as follows: last name_first initial_image number (jpeg/jpg).

Evaluation Process and Criteria 

 Artists’ submissions to the RFQ and existing works call will be evaluated by the Public Art Selection Committee. After reviewing all submissions, the committee will invite three finalists to present a proposal (for commissioned work) or to present an installation plan (for purchased existing work). Initial submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Artistry: Aesthetic appeal based on submitted project images/video; ability to respond to specific site-considerations; placemaking skills.
• Technique: Mastery of materials; site integration; scope and scale of previous projects and settings.
• Materials: Suitability of artists’ preferred materials for site; innovation in use of materials; long-term maintenance.
• Artist Statement: Philosophic approach to placemaking within a diverse public space.

Selection Criteria 

Artists may apply individually or as a team for this opportunity. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to create a permanent, public artwork and enthusiasm for creating work for the Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center. The successful applicant will specifically and succinctly address the application requirements. The City of Eugene encourages artists from all cultural traditions and artists new to public art to apply. This commission or purchase is open to all professional artists who are located and working within Lane County, Oregon. Experienced artists without public art experience paired with an experienced public artist are encouraged to apply. 

Submissions will be considered from all artists meeting the aforementioned criteria, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or physical ability. Please contact the City of Eugene Public Art Manager (listed at the end of this Request for Qualifications) if assistance is needed with the application.

Notifications

Notifications about the status of the RFQ and existing works call application will be emailed in early April. Finalists will be notified via telephone and/or email by Public Art Selection Committee members.

 
Finalists’ Responsibilities

The three finalists will be invited to attend an on-site meeting in mid-April 2023 to discuss the project in depth. Attendance is highly encouraged.  

Finalists will present to the selection committee in late May to early June: 

• If selected as a finalist for a new commissioned work, the artist will receive a $400 honorarium to develop and present a proposal to the Public Art Selection Committee. 
• If selected as a finalist for a purchase of existing work, the artist will receive a $100 honorarium to develop and discuss their installation plan with the Public Art Selection Committee. 

Awardee’s Responsibilities

The artist(s) or artist-team(s) awarded the project will perform work under an Artist Agreement Contract through the City of Eugene for the duration of the project (a sample contract will be made available for review to finalists).

• Commission awardee(s): 

The awardee(s) will be responsible for working with City of Eugene to develop design, design modifications (if necessary), fabrication, engineering (if necessary), and installation of new artwork. Sub-contractors enlisted for fabrication or installation are the sole responsibility of the artist(s). Approval of attachments are required in lieu of engineering approval.

• Purchase awardee(s): 

Sculptural artwork must be reviewed through a studio visit before awarding the purchase. The awardee(s) will be responsible for working with City of Eugene to install the purchased artwork. Sub-contractors enlisted for fabrication or installation are the sole responsibility of the artist(s). 

The City of Eugene reserves the right to suspend this selection process at any time in the event that no suitable contractor is available for hire.

 
Contact Information: 

Kate Ali, Public Art Manager

kali@eugene-or.gov 

Eligibility Criteria

This mural commission or existing sculpture purchase is open to all professional artists who are located and working within Lane County, Oregon. Artists have the option to be considered for a commission of new mural artwork OR for a purchase of existing sculptural artwork.  

One artist or artist team can apply with up to five (5) existing works for purchase in one (1) application. Experienced artist without public art experience paired with an experienced public artist are encouraged to apply.