The Town of Ashland, Virginia is seeking qualifications from artists/artist teams for a new large-scale public artwork to welcome residents and visitors to the western entrance of Downtown Ashland at the intersection of US Route 1 and England Street.
“We are not seeking a typical gateway piece, but something creative and dynamic that reflects Ashland's welcoming, quaint, and unique culture,” said Martha J. Miller, Community Engagement Manager for the Town of Ashland.
Located in Hanover County just 20 miles north of Richmond, Ashland boasts a rich railroad history and growing outdoor recreation amenities, especially among cyclists with several existing cycling routes coursing through Town and as the northern terminus of the 43-mile long Fall Line Trail.
“As the first major project being stewarded by our relatively new Public Art Commission, we are hopeful that the visibility of this project and its creative possibilities will attract the attention of highly skilled and innovative artists not just locally, but across the Commonwealth and the region,” Miller said.
The future artwork site is highly visible as it serves as the primary entrance to Ashland’s Downtown, is proximal to Interstate 95 and US Route 1, and as such, will be viewed by travelers when entering and leaving Ashland.
Ideal works of art would create an arch or archway effect to welcome visitors and perhaps tell Ashland’s story or history, strengthen community pride, evoke feelings of inspiration or joy, encourage fun and play or outdoor recreation, cultivate community dialogue, foster reflection, promote unity and connectedness or instill a sense of home and place.
“This project is being made possible by American Rescue Plan Act funding, but also by the flexibility of two adjacent property owners, Wawa and Tobacco Hut, and their commitment to being good community partners,” said Miller.
Miller added, “This is more than just a creative placemaking effort for us. It’s about continuing to foster a sense of pride in community and creating a visual beacon that will draw more folks into our downtown to support our small business community.”
RFQ Highlights
Application Deadline: Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern
Budget: $60,000
Honorarium for up to 3 finalists: $1,500 each
Eligibility: Open to all artists/artist teams with legal status to work in the United States without preference to racial/ethnic origins, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or disability.
The full RFQ and application are available here.