Call to Artists | Visitor & Conference Center | City of Avondale

Overview

The City of Avondale seeks professional sculpture artists and design architects to create a large 3-dimensional public art sculpture with water for the courtyard at the Visitor & Conference Center on the Avondale Civic Center campus. The modern, two-story, 30,000-sq-ft facility features natural light, AV equipment, and a warming kitchen, with the plaza available for activities during cooler winter months.

Theme & Concept

The art piece should ideally reflect themes related to agricultural heritage with a design based on the concept of blooming cotton—specifically, how the plant shows a hard reddish-brown exterior protecting the soft cotton interior—with designs that appeal to the imagination of a multi-generational audience.

Budget & Award

$50,000 commission. Cost includes design, materials, fabrication, transport, installation, required permits, and related expenses.

Project Requirements

• Art must be easy to maintain and withstand outdoor elements; stainless steel or plaster are recommended for their durability against hard water and calcium buildup
• Art must meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
• Art must be installed by a licensed contractor
• Artist will be required to attend progress meetings as necessary
• Artist will be required to present their concept to City staff to obtain feedback that may be incorporated into the project
• All source materials must be acquired locally or through means that will not cause significant delay in art installation

Timeline

Project completion and installation by early May 2027.

Eligibility

Open to all professional sculpture artists and design architects.