Project Description - About Western Colorado University and Hurst Hall

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University (Western) delivers career preparation, engineering, computer and other sciences and a liberal arts curriculum to intellectually adventurous students. With a campus at 7,723 feet and surrounded by over 2 million acres of public land, Western’s extensive backyard provides an ideal scientific and cultural laboratory for hands-on learning and creative inspiration. The university has over 110 areas of study in undergraduate, graduate and accelerated degrees and approximately 3,500 students. Located just a few blocks from downtown Gunnison, Colorado, Western is an anchor for higher education in the Gunnison Valley. It’s also one of Gunnison County’s biggest employers. Students gain a combination of traditional liberal arts curricula and immersive practical experience. Some areas of study at Western, including the outdoor industry MBA program, lean into the valley’s proximity to public lands and outdoor recreation. Western’s proximity to epic skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort makes it the best school for skiers and snowboarders in some eyes, and the Mountain Sports program allows students to compete in their favorite outdoor sports while getting their degree. 

Home to Western's Natural and Environmental Science programs, Hurst Hall boasts lecture-style classrooms, abundant laboratory spaces, and even a flora, fauna and artifact museum to help the next generation of scientists grow into their roles. The Natural and Environmental Science department includes physics, chemistry, petroleum geology, and biology, among other programs. This renovation project will update existing classrooms and create three more physics labs, as well as more prep labs. A larger chemistry lab will also be added. All renovations will advance the capacity of the building to accommodate all of its science programs and meet students’ needs.

Budget: Up to $19,000

All costs associated with the commissioned public artworks, including, but not limited to, artist fee, insurance, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, building or site modifications, including lighting, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, contingency to cover unexpected expenses and any other costs related to the project are covered by the budget. 

Opportunities for Public Art

The committee is looking to commission artwork for a large wall located just inside the entrance on the north side of the ground floor of Hurst Hall. This area is where students gather to wait for classes and is across from a student study area. Media of all types will be considered, but must be mounted to or on the wall.  If mounted to the wall, artwork should meet ADA requirements. Please refer to the location images in the full RFQ document to see more information about the location wall and for measurements. The main focus for the artwork is the area currently occupied by the map and bulletin board, but the artwork may occupy more of the wall space and even extend further down the hallway.

A consideration of an existing public artwork in the building would be appreciated; ideally the new artwork would have a relationship in some way. The existing artwork is “Wingscape,” by David Griggs and Scott Parsons. This artwork consists of two outdoor stone columns, an exterior frieze, and two murals with a total of 13,000 handmade tiles and 200 distinct colored glazes.The artists were inspired by Gunnison’s natural geography of cairns, columns, and visible geological strata. This is evident in the exterior columns, which include some stones collected from Gunnison and other regions of Colorado. Another source of inspiration was the region’s unique biodiversity, specifically two endangered species of butterfly. This artwork is well liked on campus, in particular due to its non-literal/non-figurative interpretation of the subject matter. The committee for this art project would similarly like to see non-objective artwork examples that relate to the programs in the building. Please see these images of “Wingscape” for reference.

 The Selection Committee will also consider the following:

• Artistic excellence
• Scale, material, form and content
• Safety of materials
• Appropriate relationship to the function of the site
• Resistance to general wear, vandalism, or theft
• Ease of maintenance, minimal and low-cost maintenance

Selection Process and Schedule

The Art Selection Committee will review all complete and eligible submittals. A short list of semifinalists will be invited to prepare and present a final proposal in person and be paid a $1,000 stipend. Final selection(s) will be made from the semifinalists’ proposals. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, May 5, 2025 11:59 pm MST – Deadline for receipt of submission via CaFÉ™ system
• June 2025  – Selection committee meets to select semifinalists; all applicants notified of application status
• July 2025 – Artist presentations (in person) to the Art Selection Committee

Questions

If you require more information or clarification, please contact Ruth Wilson at 303-880-6671 or ruth.wilson@state.co.us.

Additional Information

Western Colorado University website

About the Natural & Environmental Sciences Department

Application Requirements

All applications for this project are being accepted through the online platform, CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). No hard copy or emailed submissions will be accepted. The applicant will be asked to submit digital images of art, a resume, and a brief statement of interest. There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system. If you need assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system, please refer to this Help for Artists webpage. You can also reach out to them via this Contract CaFÉ™ Support form or email cafehelp@wearecreativewest.org.

•  Digital Images. In order to be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit, via the CaFÉ™ system, no less than six (6) and no more than eight (8) digital images of previously completed artworks.
•  Resume: Submit a current résumé, via CaFÉ™, that outlines professional accomplishments as an artist.
•  Statement of Interest: A statement of interest of 250 words or less must be submitted via CaFÉ™. It should briefly outline the interest in the specific opportunity. 

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must be residents of Colorado.  Exceptions will be made for artists living outside of Colorado if they are affiliated with a tribe with ties to the land that is currently Colorado. If you live outside of Colorado and fall under this exception, please contact Ruth Wilson (ruth.wilson@state.co.us) prior to applying to ensure awareness of your application. Artists from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are welcome to apply. Local artists are encouraged to apply.