15 December 2022- The City of Hagerstown seeks an artist to create a permanent sculpture adjacent to the Hagerstown Cultural Trail near Park Circle. The City plans to apply for a Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) New Artworks Grant to fund the work. To be eligible, the lead artist must be a Maryland resident (owning or renting residential real property in Maryland at the time of submission of the application and throughout the funded project or program). This artist call is presented in partnership with the Washington County Arts Council.
Project Summary
The Hagerstown Cultural Trail is a multi-use walkway connecting the rich attractions of the Arts & Entertainment District in Hagerstown’s historic downtown with The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and City Park. Often called one of the most beautiful parks in the nation, City Park is an important historic and cultural destination.
The first phase of the Trail opened in 2017 and is one of eight catalyst projects in the Hagerstown community’s ambitious roadmap to spur development in its City Center. The ten-foot wide, half-mile long brick Trail is beautifully landscaped, very well-lit and features a chain of ten (10) unique public art installations, public plazas, and other inactive features such as geocaching, history interpretations and resting benches. The final phase of the project was completed in May 2022.
At the midpoint of the Trail, the $60 million “Multi Use Sports and Events Center” is currently under construction by the Maryland Stadium Authority and will be the home of the new Hagerstown professional baseball team and other events. The Trail will be the main pedestrian access to this facility from the north (downtown) and points south (City Park).
The City of Hagerstown has made public art central to the Trail. Its many public spaces showcase unusual and diverse public artworks by leading local, regional and national artists. The scale and style of the public art is diverse, from small installations that must be discovered to dramatic statement pieces that are visible from long distances. For a Current Trail brochure, information on the Trail’s vision, goals and planning priorities, entrants are encouraged to visit hagerstownculturaltrail.com.
In the City-owned 0.4 acre triangular-shaped land parcel adjacent the Cultural Trail near Park Circle and Virginia Avenue, the City has an agreement with the Clara Barton Memorial Committee and renowned sculptor Toby Mendez to create a larger-than life bronze sculpture of Ms. Barton attending to a wounded soldier.
This $1 million sculpture will be installed in 2023 and located on the south end of the parcel. The conceptual improvement plan for the parcel is attached as Exhibit ‘A’ and was prepared by Mahan Rykiel & Associates. The plan depicts a possible art location and some precedent images of possible art. The proposed sidewalks, lighting and landscaping shown on the plan are all being designed and the City plans to bid the work in February, 2023. The improvements are funded by the City
For the proposed use of the balance of the parcel, utilizing a Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) Planning Grant, the City solicited public input at a public meeting on site on July 20, 2022. The findings of that public meeting are attached as Exhibit ‘B’.
The City seeks artists to create a permanent art that is envisioned to be a whimsical storied playscape, visually appealing and family friendly that will pay respect to either one or both of the following:
- The trolley system that operated throughout the City, the importance of the railroad industry to Hagerstown making it the “Hub City” of rail activity in the region,
- The creation of the first book mobile in North America by librarian Mary Titcomb, who’s former home is directly across Summit Avenue from this site.
The City seeks art with appeal to visitors of all ages on both visual and conceptual levels. Sculptures should be stimulating to the imagination and enrich and transform the environment. Artwork must be integrated into the fabric of the site to create visual drama in their public setting yet be appropriate to the scale of the available land.
Sculptural elements shall be created with durable materials. The selection panel is open to salvaged materials, or any materials and approaches that are safe and low maintenance in permanent outdoor settings.
Eligibility
To be eligible, the lead artist must be a Maryland resident (owning or renting residential real property in Maryland at the time of submission of the application and throughout the funded project or program. Artists must show applicable experience on similar scale, public projects. Artist(s) must enter into an agreement with the City of Hagerstown and comply with all PAAM Guidelines.
Timeline
12/16/22 Call Released
01/10/23 Last Day for Questions
01/13/23 Answers to all questions posted
01/24/23 Submissions due by 5 pm EST
01/27/23 Selection Panel short lists proposals to two, utilize grant funds to facilitate the artist selection process by paying honorarium for sketches/models of art.
02/17/23 Short-listed finalists submit concepts
02/22/23 *Selection panel interviews the five artists in person or by video conference and selects two artists to submit concepts. Utilizing grant funds to facilitate the artist selection process, the City will pay a $1,000 honorarium to both of these artists to prepare sketches/models of art.
03/01/23 **Artist Interviews and presentation of concepts
03/03/23 Selection Panel Review Complete
03/24/23 The City of Hagerstown submits Application & Concept to MSAC for grant funding
05/30/23 Grant Award Notification
07/25/23 Contract Finalization
10/01/24 Final Design Complete
04/15/24 Installation Complete
*Short listed artists must be available in person or by video conference
**Finalists must be available for in person presentations on March 1, 2023.
Click here to download the Full Call and Submission Form
FAQs and Q&A
(Available 1/13/2023 HERE. Email questions to rtissue@hagerstownmd.org)
