Open Call for Public Sculpture:
Permanent Sculpture Installation Havre de Grace Sculpture Trail
Submission Deadline: February 10, 2023
Total Project Budget: Not to exceed $45,000
Background:
Havre de Grace Maryland is a historic city at the top of the Chesapeake Bay. The city was the crossing place of the Susquehanna River, and played host to the founding fathers during the years before and after the American Revolution. During the years before the American Civil War the city was a stop on the underground railroad. Havre de Grace was the terminus of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal, used for shipping goods up and down the treacherous Susquehanna River to and from Pennsylvania and points north. The Susquehanna flats where a stopover for migrating ducks and geese and became a center of decoy carving for those who hunted on the lower Susquehanna. Skipjacks plied the waters looking for the bounty teaming below the surface of the wide waters of the upper bay. Havre de Grace has identified public art as important for the economic and cultural development of the city, to simultaneously strengthen the fabric and identity of the community, and to raise its profile throughout the region and beyond. To that end, the Public Art Committee of the Havre de Grace Arts Collective (https://hdgartscollective.org/public-art/) is developing a Sculpture Trail that will include a combination of permanent and rotating sculpture installations throughout Havre de Grace. The Sculpture Trail will begin in North Park, at the North end of the city, continue through the downtown district to Concord Point Park and Millard Tydings Memorial Park at the South end of the city. The Sculpture Trail follows the path of other historical and cultural trails through town, and the Sculpture Trail project has support from the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (LSHG). Several potential sites for installations of sculpture have been identified along the route. (A proposed map is attached.) The overall goals for the Sculpture Trail are to increase the presence of public art, specifically sculpture, increase public engagement in the city as a result of the increase in public art. This project ties directly to goals established in the 2014 Public Art Plan for Havre de Grace, commissioned by the city: “Develop and implement a comprehensive public art program rooted in the heritage, architectural and natural beauty of this city and environs, and in its strong sense of place.” And “Public art can help transform Havre de Grace into a cultural center that radiates energy and excitement.... Public art conspicuously brands a city as a cultural destination, helping to catalyze the growth and health of the cultural sector.” The 2014 Public Art Plan specifically mentions several sites for sculpture in the city and recommends a public sculpture trail. (Can be viewed in Google Chrome at: chrome-
Havre de Grace Sculpture Trail - Permanent Sculpture Installation Call for Entries Havre de Grace has several historical and cultural museums and performance venues throughout the city. The Sculpture Trail will effectively connect those sites, from the Susquehanna Museum at the Lockhouse in North Park, past the Opera House and Harmers Town Art Center in the center of the city, to the Concord Point Lighthouse Museum, Maritime Museum and Decoy Museum in Concord Point Park and Tydings Park at the south end of the city.
Scope:
The Havre Grace Arts Collective, Public Art Committee and the City of Havre de Grace plans to install one or two additional permanent sculptures along the Sculpture Trail in Havre de Grace in 2023. These permanent sculptures will join existing sculptures in the city to create significant anchor points along the planned Sculpture Trail. Currently, the city of Havre de Grace has a figurative sculpture of the Marquis de Lafayette at the entrance to the downtown business district, and additional permanent sculptures in Concord Point and Tydings Parks. This call, supported by the Maryland State Arts Council (MASC), is for Maryland artists to propose a permanent sculpture in North Park, near the beginning of the Sculpture Trail and, possibly, an additional sculpture in the central part of the city. Historical and cultural considerations for each of the sites are mentioned in the ‘Project Overview’ section of this call for entries. Once proposals are received from interested artists, up to eight finalists for the sculpture(s) will be selected by a Selection Committee, including Public Art Committee members, regional arts professionals and interested citizens. The Selection Committee will consist of at least three and no more than five members. The selection of finalists and priority for the sites of the sculptures will be guided, in part, by consideration given to increasing the diversity of the permanent sculptures placed throughout the city, so that a variety of artists and types of artworks are represented. The selected finalists will be awarded a stipend to create models for submission for the final selection process. The models produced by the finalists will be on view to the public at the Havre de Grace Opera House, which is in the cultural center of the city and is open to the public. The Public Art Committee will solicit discussion and feedback from the public prior to the final selection, by the Selection Committee, of the sculpture(s) to be created. At least one public meeting and a reception will be scheduled to gather feedback about the models and proposed locations for installation.
Project Overview:
The Havre de Grace Arts Collective Public Art Committee and the City of Havre de Grace are seeking a sculpture(s) that reflects the heritage, history, contemporary energy, or natural beauty of the city and environs, and helps to establish Havre de Grace as a cultural center for years to come. This sculpture(s) will also serve as a catalyst for other public art projects in the city. The proposed sites for the sculpture(s) are in North Park near the Susquehanna Museum at the Lockhouse, and other potential sites near the center of the downtown. North Park, the primary site for the proposed sculpture, is an open, public park at the North end of Havre de Grace. The park is along the Susquehanna River near the site of the terminus of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal and is home to the Susquehanna Museum at the Lockhouse (https://www.thelockhousemuseum.org), as well as a section of the original canal, including granite
Havre de Grace Sculpture Trail - Permanent Sculpture Installation Call for Entries block walls and wooden locks originally used to control water flow in and out of the canal. A large pond, remaining from the canal system, is a stop-over for migrating birds as well as home to local waterfowl. North Park is also the site of the annual encampment of reenactors of the attack on Havre de Grace by the British during the War of 1812. The park acts as a gateway to the Joe K. hiking trail that continues North along the river, following the path of the former canal. Several locations are available in North Park for siting a sculpture. A sculpture sited in North Park should reflect the historical or natural impact of the location. The potential sites in downtown Havre de Grace are all within the Arts and Entertainment District and within a block or two of the Susquehanna River. Downtown Havre de Grace is a vibrant community of local residents, businesses and activities. Several annual festivals take place during the summer months with a festival or other large event almost every weekend, as well as monthly First Friday celebrations, which bring people into the downtown area from the surrounding region. The Arts Collective, the Opera House, State Theater and the Star Center all bring a variety of performances to the city, including liv music festivals and live theater performances. A sculpture sited in the city center should reflect the dynamic energy and celebratory nature of the festivals and events held in the city. Artists may propose sculptures for either or both locations, North Park or the downtown area. The sculpture(s) must be designed for outdoor installation along the waterfront or for a site within the city center within blocks of the water. The anticipated footprint for the sculpture is to be no larger than 100 square feet. The installation may include a base, which could incorporate a plinth, slab or in-ground anchors for the sculpture. The artist is responsible for the design, engineering and installation of all support structures for the sculpture, including the base, foundation or anchors. The City of Havre de Grace is responsible for site preparation and lighting. The city will work with the artist to accomplish the installation of the sculpture, but any special installation requirements are the responsibility of the artist. Ongoing maintenance of the sculpture and its surroundings will be the responsibility of the City of Havre de Grace under the direction of the Public Art Committee of the Arts Collective.
Eligibility:
Open to all artists age 18 and over in the state of Maryland. Artists in Havre de Grace and Harford County are strongly encouraged to apply.
Selection Process:
Submissions will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, which will include Public Art Committee members, regional arts professionals and interested citizens. The Selection Committee will consist of at least three and no more than five members. All complete submissions will be considered. The selection of finalists will be guided by the following criteria:
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Adherence to the submission requirements.
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Attention to the relationship of the sculpture to the specific site.
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The potential of the work to enhance and expand the public’s interest in Havre de Grace.
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Art work that increases the diversity of the permanent sculptures placed throughout the city, so that a variety of artists and types of artworks are represented in the city.
Havre de Grace Sculpture Trail - Permanent Sculpture Installation Call for Entries
• The artist’s experience with similar projects.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain projects within budget and on schedule.
• Verification of good standing with the state of Maryland.
• Durability of materials, maintenance requirements, consideration of the susceptibility to
vandalism, and timelessness of the work
The Selection Committee will review all submissions and invite up to eight finalists to prepare and present fully developed models, any related site drawings, installation details, and any additional requested information for public review. Each artist selected to continue to the Finalist Round will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Timeline:
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Deadline for receipt of applications: February 10th, 2023.
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Notification of Finalists: February 12th, 2023.
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Deadline for submissions of Finalists’ models, drawings and site plans: March 10st, 2023.
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Public Review of Finalists submissions: March 11th-19th, 2023.
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Final selections made by Selection Committee after public input: March 20st, 2023.
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Agreement to complete selected sculpture will be drafted once final funding is complete:
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TBD pending final funding approval.
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Installation due: TBD, based on the complexity of construction process; three to six months after
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awarding of contract.
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Dedication of installation: TBD, after installation date is set.
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