The County of Yolo and Yolo County Library, in an effort to further their community vision to create a more visually pleasing environment, is seeking permanent works of public art to be integrated into the Walnut Park Library in Davis, CA.

Since 2001 the County-wide library facility plan has recognized the need for a library South of I-80 in Davis. As an interim solution the South Davis Montgomery Branch has operated out of Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School for 4 hours twice a week since 2010. With the award of a Building Forward Grant from the California State Library in 2022 and a pledge of funds from the City of Davis in 2023 the Walnut Park, stand-alone, library will break ground in 2024.

 The 12,000 square-foot building, designed by WMB Architects, will feature a large community room, study rooms, children’s, young adult and adult collections, children’s areas indoor and out, and a teen space. Located in Walnut Park, the library will be adjacent to Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School, Peregrine School and the park’s soccer fields, tennis courts and walking trails along Lillard Drive.

 The County of Yolo will break ground in Fall 2024 for the Walnut Park Library in Davis, CA.

Project Criteria:

The artwork(s) shall consider one or more of the following elements:

• Draw inspiration and context from the place and people of the South Davis community, including nearby Putah Creek and surrounding agricultural lands.
• Be reflective of the library’s role as a connector of people and ideas, hub of community gathering, and education.
• Provide imagery that is relatable and recognizable to the general public.
• Inspire engagement in reading and storytelling.
• Evoke a sense of comfort for and be inviting to multi-generational visitors.
• Consider the design, architecture and scale of the site and building.

Yolo County Library

Mission: Yolo County Library provides access for all to ideas that inform, entertain, and inspire. We connect people and ideas.

Vision: The Yolo County Library strives to bring diverse and dynamic programs and services to its many communities and residents through innovation, communication, engagement, collaboration, and diversity, providing opportunities for everyone to read, grow, discover, and interact with one another and the world at large.

Artists can view other works of public art within the City of Davis by visiting the following LINK. 

 Artwork that is inherently political, religious, or otherwise exclusive of any factor of the social stratum shall be deemed inappropriate for this project.

 Proposed Locations (See attached diagram):
Three publicly accessible areas of the facility have been identified by the Art Advisory Committee for public art enhancements within the budget guidelines of this project. These are considered the most suitable for placement of artwork to aesthetically enhance the project for the staff and visitors of the library.  (Linked as Site Details)

Exterior wall on the south side of the entry plaza

• Maximum size is 8’x 10’
• Maximum weight is 1,000 lbs. distributed over four mounting points

Interior foyer ceiling

• Maximum size is 35’x10’; Minimum size is 25’x 6’
• Maximum weight is 500 lbs. distributed evenly over the length of the artwork.

Interior rotating doors at the entrance to the main collection room

• 3- 8’ x 8’ panels (one side only)

Schedule:

August 9, 2024: Artist proposals due

August 2024: Art Advisory Committee convenes to review artist proposals and select finalists

September 2024: Finalist materials due and shared with the community

September 2024: Art Advisory Committee review finalist materials and community input

October 2024: Art Advisory Committee recommendation presented to Board of Supervisors

October/November 2024: Artist(s) contract executed

December 2024: Artwork fabrication started

Fall 2024/Spring 2025: Artwork installation Walnut Park Library Branch

 Timeline is estimated and may require adjustment based on new construction

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit:

1. Artist Statement: (Maximum 350 words) Include a general introduction to your work. Discuss the concepts and ideas you explore in your artwork and how these ideas and issues are presented. Also, describe any connection you have to the local Davis community. If you are applying as a team, the statement should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator.

2. Resume: (Maximum 2 pages) Outline your recent experience and accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, each member may submit a one-page resume.

3. Samples of your work - a maximum of ten (10) digital image files with corresponding titles to match the Support Description list.

4. Support Description list: (Maximum 2 pages) For each image/file submitted, include relevant project information. For example, list the title, date, size, and medium for studio work. For public art projects include a description, location, budget, and commissioning organization.

5. References: Minimum of three. Include names and contact information (phone, email, address) only.

6. Preliminary Proposal: (Maximum 250 words) Briefly present your preliminary proposed project idea. Describe which location, or a combination of locations your proposed project will focus. The preliminary proposals will give the committee an ability to understand your conceptual thought process and to link your proposal to a specific location. Proposals need not discuss fabrication specifics but should address what types of materials you intend to use in the work and an approximate budget.

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to experienced professional artists or artist teams in the Western United States. (Western States are defined as: Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada) Special consideration will be given to local artists and the application process will give artists the opportunity to describe their connection to the Davis community. All complete submissions, meeting the basic requirements of the project, will be reviewed by the Art Advisory Committee. Each will be reviewed based on the criteria listed below. A group of 3-5 artists will be selected and paid a $750 stipend to provide site-specific proposals. Site- specific proposals will be made available to the community to provide input. The Arts Advisory Committee will review site specific submissions and input from the community before making a final recommendation for commission(s). The recommendation made by the Art Advisory Committee shall be reviewed and accepted by the County of Yolo Board of Supervisors.

The criteria are as follows:

• Outstanding innovation, creativity and originality in the development of public art;
• A history of successfully designing and implementing permanent public projects on time and within budget;
• Design excellence in past work, including originality of concept, site contact and quality of workmanship and materials, as evidence in images of completed projects;
• The ability to respond creatively and uniquely to site-specific design challenges, including the social, physical and environmental condition and challenges inherent to each project;
• Expertise in identifying and working with permanent materials appropriate for long-term use in an interior or exterior environment that is subject to varying weather conditions and heavy public access;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively positively with public agencies, public review processes and community organizations;
• Ability to design art that meets the thematic, project description with artistic merit;
• Ability to meet this project timeline for creation and installation of work.

 All meetings of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors are open to the public. For meeting schedule please visit the county website at www.yolocounty.org

 All insurance liabilities including liability and the worker’s compensation must be met by the artist(s). The final contract(s) will be between the County and the artist(s).   

 The selected artist will be required to comply with American Disabilities Act requirements and related federal, state and local codes. All artwork installations much meet stated security requirements and must meet all safety guidelines as outlined by OSHA, local fire and building codes.

 Security and Safety Considerations

Attention will be given to the safety and security of employees and visitors to the Walnut Park Library in the choice of materials and the installation of the artwork.

Artwork must be secured in such a manner that it may not be removed or altered. This stipulation shall include all proposed locations.

For example:

a)     All artwork must be securely mounted to the surface in such a manner that it may not be removed, broken, or otherwise altered.

b)     Works made of ceramic or glass must be securely mounted to the surface and/or protected by unbreakable cases (vitrines) or coverings.

c)     Artwork may not contain any sharp edges or be fabricated from any materials that may be removed with or without force, be broken off or otherwise altered.

d)     Consideration must be given to maintenance of installations to assure that vandalism or deterioration is not a concern. Graffiti-proof coatings may be required in some instances.  

Maintenance

Consideration must be given to maintenance to assure that vandalism or deterioration is not a concern.