Request for Qualifications

Public Art Mural to be commissioned for a new

Lifestyle Boutique Hotel

Lexington, KY

Project Description

LexArts Inc. in association with Deseo Capital Management seeks artists to create a public mural on the side and front faces of a future lifestyle boutique hotel on Harrodsburg Road. This artwork will create a visual landmark within the community. Our goal is to commission proposals by three experienced public artists for the site with the expectation of realizing one of the proposals in spring 2021. There is no application fee to enter.

Project Budget

The project budget is $25,000. The budget is all inclusive to complete the mural including artists fee, travel, research, execution, insurance, taxes, site preparation equipment rental and materials.

Project Site

The selected site is an existing hotel that will be undergoing an extensive interior and exterior renovation to convert it to a fun upscale boutique hotel on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, KY. The mural will cover three spaces that are sized approximately 26’x 26’,  4’x 26’ and 13’ x 26’. The total area to be painted is approximately 782 square feet. Concept development will be addressed with finalists during the proposal stage.

Timeline

Deadline for Artist Qualifications                                       December 18, 2020

Artist Notifications                                                                 January 7, 2021

Finalist Proposals Due                                                           February 19, 2021

Artwork Creation                                                                  March 8-19, 2021

Application Guidelines (Incomplete Submissions will not be accepted)

Apply online through http://www.callforentry.org

- A one page artist statement describing public art experience and interest in the project (optional).

- A current resume (no more than three pages)

- Up to 6 digital images of past mural / art work in .jpg format no larger than 500 kb each. Each file must be named with the artist's surname and image number to correspond to an image list (e.g. 01 Smith).

For more information, please contact Nathan Zamarron at 859-255-2951 or nzamarron@lexarts.org 

Eligibility

We are committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical disability. Any artist may apply.

Selection Process

The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of artists, arts professionals and community leaders. The committee will identify three finalists. The three selected finalists will have the opportunity to visit the site, meet with hotel owners and LexArts. Finalists will be paid $1,000 upon delivery of a complete site specific proposal including composition, concept statement and process outlining budget and timeline for completion. A review of the final design will be conducted by the selection committee. One artist or artist team will be selected to realize their proposal.

Critical Selection Factors

• Artistic distinction

• Experience creating high-quality largescale murals

• Low maintenance, durability

• Site specific design

The strength of the submitted images of past artworks demonstrating ability of the artist(s) to complete similar or related projects will be considered critical selection factors. In addition, the Committee is interested in a wide variety of creative solutions to the challenges of an outdoor public artwork. 

Request for Proposals:  Site specific proposals by three finalists

Successful proposals will be expected to provide:

•A written document expressing the conceptual framework and artistic point of view that will guide development of the project

•One or more drawings of the proposed work of art; models are optional. Drawings and/or models should illustrate the conceptual relationships between the artwork and its environment.

•A timeline and budget (not to exceed $25,000) for production and installation;

•A detailed list of materials and construction requirements, with attention to issues of durability, maintenance and public safety.

Brief history of Harrodsburg Road Area

Before European setters came into the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, the land was used by Native Americans as their hunting ground. It is to this day a rich and verdant landscape that supports as much biological variety as can be found in North America. The land generates some of the finest produce and livestock to be found in the world. The first European settlements established in Kentucky were Fort Harrodsburg and Fort Boonesboro, both established with the help of the first documented explorer to Kentucky, Daniel Boone.

The city of Lexington was founded in 1775, seventeen years before Kentucky became a Commonwealth. Lexington was named after the first battle of the American Revolution, fought in Lexington, Massachusetts. By 1820, Lexington was a center of learning and one of the wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. The richness of the culture led to the city being nicknamed, “Athens of the West.”

Today, Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky. As the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington is home to 450 horse farms, top equine hospitals, equine health research, businesses and other services. There are two horse-racing tracks, Keeneland and the Red Mile, as well as the Kentucky Horse Park, site of the 2010 FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games.

Lexington is the center of the “Bluegrass” region, a fertile and picturesque landscape internationally renowned for its rolling hills and ancient dry-laid stone fences. It is the center for eighteen different institutions of higher learning, the largest of which is the state’s flagship land-grant, University of Kentucky.

Lexington is also the birthplace of bluegrass music, and the deep rich history of its music roots are felt throughout the region.

The hotel location on Harrodsburg Rd is near some of the most important hospitals and medical facilities in the state. 

Research Links

Information on Lexington can be found by visiting these sites:

LexArts • http://www.LexArts.org

Lexington Distillery District • http://www.lexingtondistillerydistrict.com/

Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau • http://www.visitlex.com/

Commerce Lexington • http://www.commercelexington.com/

Lexington Fayette Urban County Government   • http://www.lfucg.com/

Additional Info:

Lexington History Museum • http://www.lexhistory.org

Kentucky Historical Society • http://history.ky.gov/

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria