Call Description

The Sonoma County Library invites qualified artists or artist teams to design and create a site-specific mosaic sculpture or structure for the new Roseland Regional Library.

 This public art opportunity will create a welcoming and visually engaging focal point that reflects the library’s role as a center for learning, connection, and community. The artwork should celebrate themes such as literacy, storytelling, cultural diversity, access to information, and lifelong learning, while resonating with the unique identity of the Roseland community.

 The completed artwork will:

• Enhance the library as a vibrant civic space
• Create a sense of place and community pride
• Serve as an inviting visual landmark for visitors of all ages
• Reflect the mission and values of Sonoma County Library

COMMUNITY CONTEXT: ROSELAND

Roseland is a vibrant and historically rich neighborhood in southwest Santa Rosa, shaped by generations of residents whose cultures, languages, and lived experiences contribute to its strong sense of identity and resilience. The community includes a large and diverse Latino/a/x population, many multilingual households, and families with deep roots in the region alongside newer arrivals.

Roseland has long been a center of cultural expression, entrepreneurship, and community advocacy. The neighborhood continues to evolve, with the new Roseland Regional Library serving as a welcoming hub for education, connection, and opportunity.

Artists are encouraged to approach this project with sensitivity to:

• The cultural diversity and heritage of the community
• The importance of multilingual communication and storytelling
• The neighborhood’s history of resilience and creativity
• The library’s role as a trusted and inclusive public space

The selected artwork should reflect and honor the community in an authentic and meaningful way, avoiding stereotypes or generalized imagery.

ARTWORK APPROACH & MATERIALS

Artists are asked to propose a durable, permanent mosaic sculpture or structure appropriate for a high-traffic public setting. Mosaic materials may include ceramic, glass, stone, or other weather-resistant materials.

 The artwork should:

• Be three-dimensional or sculptural in nature
• Be designed for long-term installation
• Consider visibility, scale, and multiple viewing angles
• Be accessible and engaging for a diverse, multigenerational audience

PROJECT GOALS

The Library aims to:

• Integrate art into a welcoming and inclusive public space
• Reflect library-centered themes such as reading, imagination, and knowledge-sharing
• Celebrate the cultural richness of Roseland
• Inspire curiosity, creativity, and a sense of belonging

ARTIST PROMPTS: LIBRARY-CENTERED THEMES

Artists are invited to interpret the role of the library broadly and creatively. The following prompts are intended to inspire proposals:

 Stories & Storytelling

• How can mosaic imagery represent stories passed between generations?
• Consider visual metaphors such as books transforming into landscapes, constellations, or pathways.
• Explore oral traditions, cultural narratives, or shared community stories.

 Learning & Growth

• Reflect the idea of the library as a place of curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning.
• Imagery might include growth patterns (plants, roots, branching forms), symbols of knowledge, or evolving shapes.

Language & Connection

• Celebrate the richness of multilingual communities.
• Consider abstract or symbolic representations of communication—patterns, sound waves, text fragments, or visual language forms.

Community & Belonging

• Represent gathering, connection, and shared space.
• Explore imagery that reflects intergenerational experiences, families, or collective activity.

Access & Opportunity

• Reflect the library as an entry point to resources, technology, and new possibilities.
• Consider themes of pathways, bridges, light, or doors opening.

Imagination & Creativity

• Highlight the transformative power of reading and learning.
• Surreal or playful imagery is encouraged—blending reality and imagination.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & FUNDRAISING COMPONENT

This project includes a community-based fundraising initiative, allowing community members to “buy a tile” as part of the mosaic sculpture. In addition to the sculpture or structure, this project will include some form of donor recognition, to be determined during the design phase.

 Goals:

• Provide a meaningful way for community members to contribute
• Foster ownership and pride in the artwork
• Support fundraising for the Roseland Regional Library

Artist Responsibilities

 Artists must propose an approach that:

• Integrates community-contributed tiles into a cohesive overall design, with at least 200 tiles/pieces
• Maintains strong artistic integrity and visual unity
• Ensures all elements are durable and appropriate for a public setting

Artists should also describe how they will:

• Guide community contributions through clear parameters or design frameworks
• Balance artist-led design with community input
• Ensure participation is inclusive and accessible

Possible Approaches

• Designing a section composed of individual community tiles
• Creating structured systems (patterns, shapes, color palettes) that allow variation within a unified composition
• Incorporating engraved or symbolic tiles recognizing contributors
• Hosting tile-making workshops in partnership with the library or local organizations

Coordination

Sonoma County Library will manage fundraising logistics, including donor coordination. The selected artist will collaborate with Library staff to align design and engagement with the fundraising program.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Community engagement is a core component of this project. Artists should propose a meaningful approach to involving Roseland residents in the development of the artwork.

 Goals

• Reflect local voices and lived experiences
• Build community connection and ownership
• Provide opportunities for creative participation

Examples of Engagement

• Community workshops or story-gathering sessions (in-person or virtual)
• Collaboration with youth, families, or community groups
• Collecting input on themes, imagery, or cultural references
• Integrating community-generated elements into the design

Expectations

• Engagement plans must be clear, feasible, and inclusive
• Activities should be culturally responsive and accessible
• Final artistic decisions remain the responsibility of the artist

Application Requirements

There is no application fee to apply or to use the Café Call for Entry platform. All required information and materials must be included or the application will be removed from consideration.

1. Completed application form, including three professional, work-related references related to public art commissions.
2. Up to ten (10) digital photos of previous artwork; a minimum of five (5) is required. Artists applying as a team may submit ten photos for each team member. Please do not submit prints or other reproductions of your work. Digital photos should be high quality.
3. A photo list for all images included with your application, including title, date, materials, dimensions, location, a brief description of the project, and the art project cost.
4. Artist statement(s): one (1) page maximum
5. Resume(s): two (2) pages maximum.
6. Letter of interest, including an outline of your qualifications and relevant experience, interest in this project and a general approach to this project: two (2) pages maximum.

PROJECT LOCATION

This work will be situated at the new Roseland Regional Library as part of the Hearn Community Hub, located at the intersection of Hearn and Dutton. The project will have access to in-ground lighting.

Eligibility Criteria

This commission is open to practicing, U.S. based artists. Sonoma County artists are encouraged to apply.