Call Detail
Roundabout Artwork Call for Artists - 24 1/2 and F 1/2
Entry Deadline: 11/1/24
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 3, Maximum:Max. 10
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 3, Maximum:Max. 10
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: Local
State: Colorado
Budget: $100,000

Background

The City of Grand Junction is known as the gateway and regional center of Western Colorado because of its location between the Rocky Mountain and the desert. Grand Junction boasts a strong cultural community and is the home of Colorado Mesa University, Museums of Western Colorado, the Art Center of Western Colorado, the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and Downtown Grand Junction’s nationally-known Art on the Corner exhibit with over 100 sculptures.  

The region is widely recognized for its many vineyards and orchards, its abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, the majestic Grand Mesa, the desert vistas and rock formations of the Colorado National Monument and Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area, and the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers.   

Through the City’s 1% for the Arts Public Art Program, the City continues to create aesthetic urban environments by facilitating the display and acquisition of high-quality works of art in public spaces.  

The City’s Cultural Strategic Plan calls to build the Grand Junction area as an arts destination for public art, enhancing Grand Junction’s cultural identity and sense of community pride. (To learn more about the area see www.visitgrandjunction.com.) 

Project Description 

The City of Grand Junction and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture are pleased to announce an opportunity for an artist(s) to create unique public art for the new traffic roundabout at the intersection of 24 ½ Road and F ½ Road. The artwork should be dynamic, distinctive, bold, lively, and able to be appreciated in a drive-by setting. In addition, the artwork should be fresh and modern, abstract and colorful, vibrant, unique, and creative versions of landscapes (trees, flora, etc.). 

Composition 

The design, construction, and materials used in all parts of the sculpture should be very durable, require minimal maintenance, be resistant to theft, vandalism, weathering, and not create a potential traffic hazard or obstruct sightlines.  It should be free from unsafe conditions or factors that could impact public liability or traffic. The art should adhere to the highest standards of quality, timelessness, permanence, and general appeal, and should have relevance aesthetically to the community in the present and in future years. 

The artwork(s) should: 

  • Provide excitement and interest for visitors and residents of the community;
  • Reinforce the strength and individuality of the people of this western community;
  • Blend the cultural heritage of the past with a modern acumen for the future;
  • Be distinctive, dynamic, unique, contemporary, and larger-than-life;
  • Be creative, whimsical, and push boundaries
  • Create a lasting image that ‘brands’ the F ½ Parkway corridor with the artwork

 

Location of Artwork 

In 2019, voters approved ballot measure 2A, which provides funding for the F ½ Road Parkway, as well as multiple transportation expansion projects within the City. This 5-lane, multimodal arterial will provide an alternative route around congested Patterson Road and serve a rapidly developing area. The artwork will be viewed from vehicles, buses, bicycles, and by pedestrians. Knowing this, the design should not invite nor challenge pedestrians to climb on it. 

 

Eligibility 

UPDATED 10/22/24

The project is open to all artists, age 21 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Preference points may be given to local Colorado artists. 

Artists must be able to show images of original creations similar in size and theme to this project. Selection will be based on past artwork experience, style, concept, ability to comply with the timeline, and references. 

The sculpture must be an original creation by the artist(s). 

 

Budget 

The budget for this project cannot exceed $100,000 which includes the design, creation, and installation of the artwork. The artist(s) is responsible for all costs associated with the proposal submission and, if selected, for all costs involved in the design, fabrication, transportation, insurance, necessary footings or foundation, delivery, and installation. 

 

Deadline 

Submission deadline is November 1, 2024 

 

Timeline 

  • November 1, 2024 – Deadline for applications
  • November 4-13, 2024 – Artist Selection Panel will review applications
  • November 15, 2024 – Artists notified
  • August 2025 – Artwork installed in roundabout at 24 ½ Road and F ½ Road

Installation timeline is tentative, and adjustable based on construction and artists timeline. 

 

Selection Process 

The selection panel will consist of representatives from the City of Grand Junction Public Works Department and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts & Culture. 

The committee will review all artist submissions and make their selection from the initial submissions. 

Application Requirements

Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit the following. Incomplete applications missing any of the following may be excluded from consideration: 

Letter of Interest - not to exceed 1 page. A letter explaining interest in the project and including pertinent information about the artist’s/team’s approach and projects of a similar nature.  

Resume - not to exceed two pages listing professional artistic accomplishments, contact information, education or other relevant information, and current contact information for at least two references.  

Proposal - A one-page description of how you would approach this project. Include conceptual drawings, materials, dimensions, and a proposed budget (may be on additional pages). While we are not looking for a fully developed proposal, we would like some type of visual representation.  (Updated 10/22/24)

Images of Original Representative Work - not to exceed 10 images. All images must be .JPG or .JPEG files. Images must not be larger than 1024 x 768 pixels and no larger than 1mb. Each image file name must be formatted as follows: number corresponding to the number on the image list (e.g. 01.title.jpg or 01.title.jpeg).  

Annotated Image List – Each image must include the artist’s name and a brief description of each image stating its title, medium, size, location, and purchase price or commissioned price. (We do not always use CaFE's jury feature, so we ask for this additional document to assist with retaining all information when its downloaded). (Updated 10/22/24)

Unless otherwise noted, all other files must be in .PDF format (e.g. name.letter.pdf, name.resume.pdf, name.proposal.pdf, name.imagelist.pdf, etc.).  

Eligibility Criteria

UPDATED 10/22/24

The project is open to all artists, age 21 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Preference points may be given to local Colorado artists. 

Artists must be able to show images of original creations similar in size and theme to this project. Selection will be based on past artwork experience, style, concept, ability to comply with the timeline, and references. 

The sculpture must be an original creation by the artist(s).