Project Description:

The City of Lewisville is seeking qualifications from artists who wish to create an indoor work of public art in the Lewisville Public Library. Specifically, the city seeks an artist who can create an installation piece, sculptural in nature, that would wrap around or climb a tall brick column found in the atrium of the library. This work will utilize the height of the column and surrounding space to provide a visually striking component to the library that will inspire wonder, draw the eye upward, and excite engagement. 

The Lewisville Public Library is a gathering place for thousands of visitors each month who come to the facility for standard library uses such as book borrowing, computer access, and studying, as well as to participate in extensive programming for all ages. The Library features a large children’s wing; adult, teen, world language, and digital media sections; and a state-of-the-art makerspace known as The Hive. The Library is also home to several smaller works of art that are in the City’s public art collection, including “Building Blocks” by Kevin Robb and “The Alphabet Chair” by Sarah Peters.

This project is largely funded by the City of Lewisville Public Art Program. Also, it is being partially funded by a financial gift from the Friends of the Lewisville Public Library, a nonprofit organization that works to benefit the Library in several ways, including contributing to purchases of public art for display.

This project for the City of Lewisville also has close ties to several “Big Moves” that make up the City of Lewisville’s vision plan, called Lewisville 2025. The Big Moves tied to the Library and this project include Identity, Place and Communication, Economic Vitality, and Connected City.

Background and Context

Lewisville, Texas

Lewisville was formed in 1847 and incorporated in 1925. Located north of Dallas along Interstate 35E in the bustling DFW Metroplex, the city currently has a culturally diverse population of about 135,000 residents and is a major retail and employment center for the region. Key features include Lewisville Lake, the LLELA Nature Preserve, and historic Old Town Lewisville.

Lewisville Public Library 

The Lewisville Public Library is a comfortable, inclusive gathering place where the community connects with resources and experiences that inspire and encourage personal enjoyment and growth. During its more than 50-year history, the library has been located in seven different buildings. In 1989, the library relocated to the Municipal Annex at the northeast corner of Main Street and Civic Circle. In 2002, voters approved funding for a major renovation and expansion that included the renovation of the existing library into the Cynthia Bennett Children's Wing, and the construction of a new, two-story wing for the adult, teen, world language, and media collections. The grand opening for the newly expanded library was held February 17, 2007.

For goals and future development of the Library, read the Library Strategic Design and Library Departmental Business Plan. https://library.cityoflewisville.com/using-the-library/library-strategic-design

Lewisville 2025

In 2014, a group of 50 resident volunteers were appointed to a committee charged with developing a vision for the kind of city they wanted Lewisville to be when it turned 100 years old in 2025. The result is a comprehensive vision plan that presents seven Big Moves and three strategic moves, along with general and specific action steps to accomplish each of these ambitious goals.

Lewisville 2025 vision plan:  https://www.cityoflewisville.com/lewisville2025

Public Art Master Plan  

The City’s Public Art Master Plan was adopted in January 2018. The plan sets out a vision for the role that public art can play in Lewisville’s future as a successful city. The City of Lewisville views the public art program as a valuable way to express civic pride, an extension of Lewisville’s commitment to provide residents and visitors with access to arts and cultural experiences, and a means to visually make strong connections to the city’s cultural and economic diversity. This project was one of the projects recommended in that plan.

Lewisville’s Public Art Master Plan:  https://www.cityoflewisville.com/home/showpublisheddocument/13672/636554297246130000 

Friends of the Lewisville Public Library

The Friends of the Lewisville Public Library is a nonprofit organization that works to benefit the library, its employees, and the community. The Friends support the library by participating in outreach, raising funds at book sales, and providing staff training and appreciation events. Funds raised by the Friends help the library provide programs and services for all ages, update library equipment and beautify the library. 

Project Scope and Parameters:

The City of Lewisville has established specific scope and parameters for this public art project with the intent of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for those who visit the Lewisville Public Library. The City is looking for an artist or group of artists that will be able to adhere to these parameters through their work.

Appropriate and Unique: The City is seeking an original, one-of-a-kind art project that is appropriate for Lewisville and for the diverse community that will experience it.

Artistic Considerations: The use of artistic elements including organic shapes, movement (literal or figurative), interactive components, and/or illumination are highly desirable for inclusion in this project. However, works using sound or those that create noise are not preferred as they may interrupt library users.

Placement of Piece(s): The sculpture will be placed in the entryway atrium of the Lewisville Public Library, more specifically a tall brick column that goes all the way to the second floor of the building. 

· The bricks on the column are standard outdoor quality bricks but are not structural. They are a cosmetic addition around the structural column. There will be some weight limits or distribution requirements imposed on the artwork based on its full scope of impact.

· Power source conduit lines exist within the column.

· ***Images and measurements of the installation site***: https://www.cityoflewisville.com/home/showdocument?id=27045&t=638284690416272770  

Materials and Media: The selection panel is open to artwork in all media and materials that will meet the project objectives and expectations.

Durability and Maintenance: The artwork should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. If interactive elements are part of the project, then replacement parts should be readily available or easily sourced for future replacement and maintenance. This project will be in the public realm and may therefore be exposed to physical stresses such as touching by the public in areas of the work within arm’s reach.

The selected artist will be encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal for the project. All awarded public art contracts will be reviewed by the City to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA standards.

Budget: 

The budget for this commission is up to $75,000 USD which will be allocated to a single artist or artist team. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the creation of the artwork including, but not limited to: the artist’s design fee, materials, consultation fees (such as electrical or structural engineering), insurance, tools, fabrication, studio expenses, transportation, installation, travel to and from the site for installation/dedication, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. The City will be responsible for preparing the site for installation of the artwork and for signage for the completed work. Additionally, several virtual meeting check-ins with the selection panel or the full Arts Advisory Board, and regular updates to city staff, will be required throughout the fabrication process.

Timeline: 

10/29/23 -  Deadline for entry (via CaFÉ™ system)
December 2023 - Notification sent to Finalists
January 2024 - Finalist interviews and presentations
January 2024 - Selected artist notification

Project Completion and Installation timeline will be finalized through the issuance of the contract with the selected artist.

Application Requirements

In response to this call, applicants will be asked to submit a Statement of Interest, up to eight digital images and/or video samples of past work, a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) and up to three professional references (if available) via the CaFÉ™ online application system (www.callforentry.org).  

Required Materials: (Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.

1.     Statement of Interest – Please submit a statement outlining your interest in the project.  Please include your experience working on projects of this kind. You may also include how you have, or may, engage with stakeholders to inform your plans and address the stated scope and parameters of the project if commissioned. Please name your file accordingly: Last Name.First Initial.Statement (i.e. Smith.J.Statement.pdf).

2.     Digital Images and/or Video – Please submit up to eight work samples, including digital images or video, of previously completed artworks. 

3.     Résumé or CV – Please submit a current résumé or CV that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please name your file accordingly: Last Name.First Initial.Resume (i.e. Smith.J.Resume.pdf).

4.     References – Please provide information about up to three professional references, including their name, title, phone number and email address, Please provide an indication of the context in which the person knows you, Please name your file accordingly: Last Name.First Initial.References (i.e. Smith.J.References.pdf).

Process and expectations for finalist interviews: From these application materials, the artist selection panel will choose up to three finalists for telephone or online interview.  Finalists will be given additional details about what to prepare for the interview which will include the request to develop a site-specific proposal and general budget breakdown.  Finalists will be paid $1,000 (USD) for their time in preparing a proposal and for participating in the interview process. From the interview process, an artist or artist team will be selected for this commission and recommended to Lewisville City Council for approval.

The selected artist or artist team for the commission will collaborate with the Arts Advisory Board, Library Board members, library staff and City staff on final design, and will be responsible for fabricating the artwork, bringing it to the site and installing it.

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open nationally to all artists, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or disability.

Artists working in any media are eligible to apply.

Artists without access to a computer can call 972.219.8446 to make arrangements to use a computer at the City’s art center.

Questions:  

Please direct all questions about the project to Denise Helbing, Arts Center Manager, City of Lewisville, at 972.219.8478.