Request for Qualifications

Centerpiece Artwork for Merschel Park

Deadline: May 10, 2019, by noon, EST

Finalist Honorarium: $1,500 + travel stipend

Total Projected Budget: $225,000

 

http://www.cityofws.org/Portals/0/pdf/planning/pac/rfp-rfq/RFQ_MerschelParkCenterpiece_20180312.pdf

 

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission is seeking an artist to design and create a permanent centerpiece artwork for Merschel Park in downtown Winston-Salem. The park is named after Wanda Merschel (1950- ), a Winston-Salem City Council Member from 1997-2013. Always a consensus builder, Merschel struck a balance between citizen services and capital investments to help revitalize downtown Winston-Salem and ensure the city’s future prosperity. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated career in finance and politics, Merschel has continuously been a strong advocate for women. “I have been fortunate to learn from women in all walks of life who taught me that calmness, patience, and serenity will always yield a better outcome.” It is her hope that this namesake park will be a place where people can reflect on the inspiring roles and qualities that women have brought to public service.

 

·         The proposed artwork will be the centerpiece of Merschel Park. The Public Art Commission is open to sculpture and other types of original, standalone artwork that can serve this purpose.

·         Artwork should be scaled appropriately for the space, e.g., a standalone sculpture should be at least 25-30 feet in height.

·         Design should make sense in the context of the plaza’s flowing lines and high level of activity in the center of downtown.

·         Artwork proposals that use water should be limited to recirculating fountains.