Artists sought for two public art projects at Aquatic Park

U.S.-based professional artists can apply to create a wall project or a sculptural series to beautify Aquatic Park, reflect the area's history, and highlight its ecological importance.

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Calling all professional artists! Submit qualifications to be considered for two separate public art projects: a sculptural art series or a wall project.

The sculptural art series is intended to inspire movement and exploration and would be placed at several locations along the road and trail that loop around the Aquatic Park lagoon.

The wall project - which would be placed on a prominent, large, curved wall near Aquatic Park's northwest entry path - would translate two-dimensional imagery to tile, mosaic or other permanent material.

These projects will enhance the park experience by beautifying its context, reflecting the multi-layered history of the site, and highlighting its ecological importance. Each piece or series must be able to withstand public interaction and the natural elements.

Get more details on each project's application portal: Sculpture and Bay Trail Wall. Professional, practicing artists living in the United States are eligible and must apply by December 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Sculpture series enhances park and Bay trails

The permanent sculptural artworks would be at various locations along either or both Bolivar Drive and Aquatic Park Trail, a 2.3-mile pedestrian and bicycle path that loops around the park's lagoon.

This loop is part of the larger Bay Trail project that, when completed, will allow continuous travel for pedestrians and cyclists across 500 miles of the San Francisco Bay Shoreline.

Bolivar Drive from Addison Street to Dreamland Playground in Aquatic Park is undergoing a renovation in conjunction with the development at 600 Addison Street. The sculpture series may be integrated into newly landscaped areas or the existing setting.

The total budget for this sculptural series is $350,000, including the artist fee, design, fabrication, transportation, and installation.

Wall-Based Artwork, a gateway to Aquatic Park

The wall piece will be on a prominent, large, curved wall along Aquatic Park's pathway near the intersection of Addison Street and Bolivar Drive. This location is near the Northwest entry point for the park, adjacent to Berkeley Animal Care Services.

The wall's dimensions are approximately 42.5 feet long by 3.5 feet high by 2 feet deep.

The total budget for the wall project is $70,000 inclusive of artist fee, design, fabrication, transportation, and installation.

Application review, selection will conclude in May

After the application deadline, an Art Review Panel will review artists' applications and will invite three to four finalists for each project to develop conceptual design proposals for each project site.

The review panel will include two arts professionals, a community representative, and members of both the Civic Arts and Parks, Recreation & Waterfront commissions.

The panel will reconvene in May 2023 to review the proposals and to select the final artwork for each location.

For other calls for artists, sign up for our Civic Arts Mailing list to ensure that you never miss a creative opportunity.

Artists interested in submitting their qualifications should visit both the Sculpture and Bay Trail Wall application portals and then use those portals to apply by 5:00 pm on December 12, 2022.

Links:

• Application Portal: Sculpture Project
• Application Portal: Wall-based Art
• Civic Arts email-list
• Aquatic Park