Project Description
The Clearwater CRA is charged with implementing the downtown vision for Clearwater, Florida, which is the city’s historical center. The 2018 Downtown Redevelopment Plan recommends the use of public art to create a high-quality, vibrant, and welcoming public realm. As part of its public art strategy, the CRA is commissioning artists to enhance the outdoor environment through the creation of new public art installations.  

Artwork Medium 
Mosaic Tile and Painted Murals

At minimum, 60% of the artwork should be completed in mosaic tile with paint used to accent and enhance the mosaic work. 

City Background
The city of Clearwater is a vibrant coastal community of approximately 115,500 citizens located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Clearwater is a progressive city that is committed to enhancing residents’ lives while preserving a heritage that is rich in culture and exquisite in landscape. Located approximately 30 minutes from both Tampa and St. Petersburg, Clearwater enjoys immediate access to natural amenities such as the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, and cultural offerings from a variety of museums, galleries, concert venues and theaters.

Art Goals
The City of Clearwater and the CRA are seeking experienced mosaic and mural artists with a strong point of view and the ability to create complex, engaging designs. Unique designs are encouraged. Artists are asked to design an installation that embraces the name of this public space, “The Mercado,” and is in tune with the local community that resides in the Downtown Gateway. The final designs must go beyond the simple visual representation of an object or event and should celebrate that this is a multifaceted space serving a wide variety of activities and events for the community.

Community 
The Downtown Gateway is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood defined by its unique cultural base and mixed land uses. Located just east of Downtown Clearwater, this area is a medium and low-density residential neighborhood supported with neighborhood commercial and professional offices that are concentrated along the major corridors of Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. Some nearby businesses to The Mercado include Señor Subs and Gyros, El Ranchito De Pepe, Señor Bubbles, Estetica Diana, Daisy’s Boutique, La Reina de México, and others that stretch out from this central intersection. This corridor serves as an entry way to Downtown Clearwater and beyond to Clearwater Beach.

Mosaic/Mural Locations
This project contains multiple spaces for art throughout the plaza.

·         Building Wall

The east façade of the building where Cleveland Street meets Gulf to Bay Boulevard features 4 panel areas. These panels will be located between natural vine living walls. The largest panel space is 8’ tall and 9’ wide, the next is 8’ tall and 4’ 10” wide. There are also two smaller panels next to the gate doors which measure 8’ tall and 2’6” wide each. Even though these 4 panels are not continuous, this art installation should be one cohesive piece.

·         Planters

The Mercado is home to 11 circular planter areas with the average design surface size being 57 sq ft. The smallest being 32 sq ft and the largest being 92 sq ft. These planters should also contain mosaic and mural art that is cohesive with the rest of the Mercado. The tops of the planters designated for seating should not contain art. Skate guards will be installed on the edges of planters.

Collectively all these surfaces within The Mercado can be transformed to create an immersive public art installation that can be enjoyed from all areas of the plaza space as well as by cars and people passing the space. To further accent the artwork the ground can be used as an additional surface area. For groundwork, traffic rated painted must be used.

Artist to field verify site before final budget and scope of artwork is approved.

Phase 2 - Secondary Project (Entry Pillar)

Lastly, if you are selected as a finalist you will be asked to share a design concept and separate budget for the creation of a potential Phase 2 art installation. This Phase 2 design should complement the design work done inside The Mercado. This art installation budget is not included in the $75,000 Mercado budget. 

·         Pillar

Located 0.5 miles southeast of The Mercado at the intersection of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Court Street is a large entry pillar that marks the entrance of the Downtown Gateway district. The pillar features 4 sides with panel areas that could be enhanced with mosaic work. Each panel face design area is 17’ tall and 2’ wide at the base, becoming narrower at the top.

Budget
$75,000

The selected artist, or artist team, will be awarded a comprehensive contract for The Mercado. The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with City of Clearwater staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses. 

Selection Process
A selection panel consisting of a Public Art & Design Board representative, a CRA representative, the City of Clearwater Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator, a City of Clearwater Neighborhoods Department representative, as well as local art professionals, and community representatives will review artists' qualifications. Three finalists will be selected and will be required to provide final proposal designs and budget. 

The 3 finalists will be paid a stipend of $1,000 for their final proposal.

Final artist selection will be made after public voting at the Mercado Grand Opening event.

The City of Clearwater reserves the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applications, or projects, and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice. 

Selection Criteria
Artists will be evaluated on artistic excellence as evident by submitted materials; professional experience; compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment and values of the City of Clearwater.

Timeline

• Submittals due: Friday, June 30, 2023
• Selected finalists notified: Friday, July 21, 2023
• Final proposals due: Friday, August 4, 2023
• Artwork installation: Fall 2023

Application Requirements

This call is open to artists and teams of artists with professional experience in public art mosaics and murals.

Please submit an expression of interest with the following items contained in a single PDF or Microsoft Word document:

• Resume with references.

Also, submit:

• Letter of Interest
• Examples of Past Work

Eligibility Criteria

Mosaic artist with public art experience.