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call to artists
request for proposals
Call to Artists - Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience Public Art
Project
The Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience public art competition, open to professional
artists residing in Alberta, is held in accordance with the City of Edmonton policy “Percent
for Art to Provide and Encourage Art in Public Areas” (C458C).
Budget: $19,900.00 CAD (maximum, all inclusive)
Deadline for Submissions: 4:30 pm on Friday, March 20, 2015
Installation: Spring 2016
For more information contact the Edmonton Arts Council:
phone (780) 424–2787 or email: abowes@edmontonarts.ca
To view larger files of the images provided in this call please email abowes@edmontonarts.ca
We thank all artists for contributing their time and professional work for their initial concept proposal submissions.
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call to artists
Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience
About Edmonton
Located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton, Alberta is known as “Festival City” and “Gateway to the North.”
With more than one million people living in the Greater Edmonton region, the city is the largest, northernmost municipality in
North America. Geographically, Edmonton is situated at the boundary between prairie and boreal forest. The river valley constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America.
Edmonton is home to Canada’s second-largest urban Aboriginal community. The City of Edmonton lies in the heart of Treaty
Six territory and honours the traditions and spirit of the area. For centuries this area has been a place of gathering, relationship
building, harmony, balance, and commerce for many peoples. It was in this place that early relationships led to the creation of
Treaty Six, the Province of Alberta, and the City of Edmonton.
This deep history, and the subsequent migration of many new Canadians to the area, imbues Edmonton with a rich cultural and
ethnic heritage. This diversity contributes to a dynamic urban landscape alive with arts and culture, business, research and development, and industry. Indicators for the next twelve years point to steady economic and population growth. As Edmonton’s
economy flourishes, so does the spirit of revitalization. Edmonton is undergoing an unprecedented amount of infrastructure
growth with major roadways, streetscapes, and there has been significant development in neighbourhoods.
Aspects of these, and other municipal projects, including public transportation, provide public art opportunities through the
City’s “Percent for Art to Provide and Encourage Art in Public Areas” policy.
Edmonton’s spirit of optimism is reflected through its ever-evolving Public Art Collection. With more than 200 pieces, the Collection includes visual art from a variety of disciplines by local, national and international artists.
Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience Project Description
The City of Edmonton established William Hawrelak Park, originally Mayfair Park, in 1967. Its 68 acres contain man-made
lakes, picnic areas, trails, an amphitheatre and other amenities including dedicated children’s play areas. A diverse number of
recreational opportunities such as paddle boating, cross country skiing, ice skating, and hiking/biking, are available year-round.
Located in Edmonton’s south-central core, the park is part of an extensive contiguous greenway system that follows the
North Saskatchewan River Valley. It is considered the crown jewel of Edmonton’s park system and is the setting for many of
Edmonton’s major festival and sporting events, including: the Heritage Festival, International Blues Festival, Edmonton Triathlon,
Freewill Shakespeare Festival, Symphony Under the Sky and the Silver Skate Festival.
Regionally, Hawrelak Park is part of the Capital Region River Valley Park - one of the largest urban parks in North America. The
River Valley Park stretches more than 88 km connecting seven municipalities and comprising 18,000 acres of natural and
enhanced parks, trails, attractions, and accommodations.
Although a beloved destination for families, the park presents limited opportunities for recreational water play. In 2011, the City
of Edmonton began exploring options for providing a unique, interactive water play experience in Hawrelak Park. The City and
key community stakeholders, with public input, explored a number of options. The Hawrelak Water Play Experience design and
location were approved by City Council in June 2013.
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call to artists
Water Play Design Concept
The Hawrelak Park water play design concept is inspired by the park setting and integrates the natural forms of the water
play area site. In response to public requests, the design mimics a “natural” theme. Equipment function, color and form will be
incorporated into an artificial stream and pond-like environment to simulate a natural water-play setting. The water play area will
appear as an oasis nestled into a protected area of the park integrating seamlessly with the park surroundings.
Architectural Design Concept
Inspired by the natural park setting, the pavilion uses a simple geometric form clad in wood. The vertically oriented cladding
represents the clusters of trees found onsite, and conveys the site’s calming environment. Spacing between the wooden
slats varies based on visual and physical openings. Park users can traverse this abstract woodland through an opening in the
building. The passage links the busy waterpark with the greater park grounds just north of the pavilion. The building is intended
to provide a quiet backdrop to the vibrancy of the splash-park, in such a manner that it blends into the wooded landscape of
Hawrelak Park.
Architectural Materials
The base building construction is concrete modular units. The west end of the building is “pulled out” of the larger complex
exposing the split face concrete blocks. The rest of the building will be clad in a unique charred wood finish (Sugi Ban); a
Japanese traditional siding technique that lightly burns wood to preserve it naturally. Once burned to the desired finish the
wood is protected from rotting. After installation a sealant is applied to prevent charred particulate from rubbing off. These
wood planks will be erected vertically on their edge and flat along the concrete block building creating an interesting play of
light and shadow with the variations in depth the placement makes. There will also be gaps in the planks revealing the block
behind where required and windows and openings.
Public Art Opportunity
The Edmonton Arts Council Public Art Program, on the behalf of the City of Edmonton, is seeking an artist or artist team to
create a work in one of two locations within the Hawrelak Water Play Park. This water play park facility provides a creative
opportunity for artists to sandblast the concrete building faces, or create a sculptural water feature. This natural park setting
provides a unique opportunity to create a work that speaks to the environment and our identity within it. This public art
opportunity is open to all Albertan professional artists.
Public Art Location 1 - sandblasting of the exposed concrete block wall
The exposed concrete block walls are 3.65 meters high and vary in length. There are three wall faces available to the artist(s)
at the west end of the building and one at the east. The artist(s) is free to use any portion of these available walls. Artist(s) are
invited to propose an image on this concrete surface. Drawings are provided in this call with dimensions and site orientations.
The etching/sandblasting will be done on-site at a time coordinated by the City of Edmonton and EAC as determined by the
schedule of the prime contractor. Artists should take into consideration managing environmental conditions for an early spring
install.
Public Art Location 2 - sculpture water feature
The apex of the splash pad is a water feature. For those approaching the water play park from the north this water feature
entices people to come and experience the water play park as it is directly lined up with the building north south access
through-fare. The artist(s) is being asked to propose a water sculpture for this area. The fountain base, plumbing and water
supply will be provided. Please see the included drawings for further details.
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call to artists
Artwork design parameters
The artwork must adhere to the following design parameters:
• Does not cause opportunity for access to restricted areas (i.e. do not build in such a manner as to allow climbing to areas not normally accessible to the public;
• Ensure artwork does not pose a risk of injury to the public (example: sharp points, slip hazards, etc.);
• Meet fire codes with respect to flammability as applicable;
• Meet any applicable Alberta Building Code standards;
• Artwork must be constructed of durable permanent materials;
• Artwork must be vandal resistant;
• Artwork must not interfere with the operation and serviceability of the building;
• Artwork must be designed to be accessible for maintenance.
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call to artists
Safer Cities Initiatives Applicable to Artwork on Public Road Rights or Way
City Council approved the Design Guide for Safer Cities in 1995. This guide incorporated the concepts of Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and calls for enhancing safety and security through planning and design factors.
Two of the important principles are: Awareness of the surrounding environment, and Visibility by others. The concept of
providing artwork on public road rights-of-way to screen unsightly properties and/or generally enhance the aesthetics of a
street allows for large pieces of art to be installed. While potentially large objects can be attractive, the concept of CPTED must
be realized since the proposed artwork will be immediately adjacent to sidewalks and private lands used by pedestrians. The
impact of the artwork on the safety and security of pedestrians must be minimized as much as possible and should reflect the
following:
Unobstructed sightlines, adequate lighting, and the avoidance of confined and hidden spaces.
Pedestrians must be able to see around, through, under or over the artwork to see if danger exists. If this cannot be done,
lighting should be supplied to light potential hiding or entrapment areas. The artwork should not employ spaces where a
person could hide or confine another person. Spaces within the artwork could allow for natural surveillance.
Visibility by others.
The ability to be seen by others increases a sense of safety. Lighting and/or the design of the artwork should allow for visibility
by passing motorists or other pedestrians. Inset spaces should be lit. If street lighting does not exist, or the artwork’s design
interferes with the light from the streetlights, lighting should be provided so that a face can be identified with normal vision at
a distance of 15 meters. The use of more light fixtures with lower wattage should be used instead of fewer fixtures with high
wattage to help reduce deep shadows. Light fixtures should be protected from casual vandalism.
Artwork Permanence
All artwork proposals will receive a preliminary conservation review for permanence of materials and construction methods in
order to proactively address maintenance and conservation concerns. The EAC Public Art Conservation program supports the
artistic process while ensuring that all commissioned artworks are high quality, durable, and maintainable.
Because the Edmonton Public Art Collection is located in the public realm, it is important that durable materials are used.
Artwork proposals should take into consideration the location in which they will be sited. This can include (but is not limited
to) repeated weather changes and climactic cycles, sunlight exposure, physical environment risks, and countless audience
interactions.
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project images
Hawrelak Park and City of Edmonton Context
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project images
Hawrelak Water Play Park Context within Hawrelak Park
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project images
Hawrelak Water Play Park - Site Layout
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project images
Project location
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project images
Art location within the overall plan
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project images
Art Option 1
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project images
Art Option 1
Art Option 1
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project images
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Art Option 1
project images
Art Option 2
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project images
Art Option 2
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call to artists
Terms of Competition
Selection Process:
The winning artwork will be chosen through a one-stage jury process unless designated otherwise by the Edmonton Arts
Council. Selection Committee members will include representation as follows: City of Edmonton personnel, project team
personnel, artist representatives and community members. The Selection Committee is under no obligation to choose any
finalists. All decisions of the Selection Committee are final. The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Arts Council reserve the
rights to revoke the competition for Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience public art call for submissions or public art project.
Communication with the Selection Committee:
The Edmonton Arts Council will be responsible for all communication, either verbal or in writing, between artists making
submissions and members of the Selection Committee. Any communication between applicants and Selection Committee
members regarding submissions or the competition may result in disqualification.
Competition Entry Requirements:
Please send entry requirements listed below as separate files on a CD, no hard copies of these requirements will be accepted. Applications
will not be accepted by fax or email. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Artists must submit the following, prepared as describe, in order to qualify for consideration in the competition additional materials will
not be used:
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r 1.
r 2. PROPOSAL PACKAGE
SUBMISSION FORM Complete and signed with contact information;
One summary of the proposed artwork (100 words or less); one full written
description of the proposed artwork (including detailed artist’s concept, one
selected artwork site location, size, materials and timeline);
r 3. ARTIST STATEMENT & BIO
Total of one page maximum
r 4. REFERENCES
Four professionals who can speak to the quality of your work, preferably with two from either a public art commissioning agents, clients or consultants. Please provide references current contact information only, reference letters are not required.
r 5. PROPOSAL IMAGES: Preliminary two-dimensional representations, drawings, or renderings, that well
describe the proposed artwork, submitted as JPEG files.
r 6. BUDGET FORM Budget for the proposed artwork not to exceed the maximum, all inclusive total
of $ 19,900.00 CAD (for any and all costs related to the design, fabrication, installation of the proposed artwork and applicable taxes);
r 7. CURRICULUM VITAE Detailing professional experience as an artist and other relevant information;
max 3 pages.
call to artists
r 8. VISUAL DOCUMENTATION Of previous public artworks or artworks which best illustrate a related body of
artwork to the proposal. Include a maximum of 10 images JPEG files only please,
we will not accept pdf, PowerPoint or tiff formats; minimum 150 dpi for 6” x 9”
images) on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM;
All support materials and visual documentation must correspond, and be clearly
listed in a separate document. For previous public artworks include details of title,
date, locations, commissioning agent or client, budget, medium, size and a brief
description of the work.
r 10. RETURN POSTAGE Must be enclosed if the artist does not want their application retained as part of
the Edmonton Public Art database.
r 9. DOCUMENTATION LIST
Deadline for Submissions:
Complete submissions must be received in office no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, March 20, 2015
Submissions must be delivered to:
Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience c/o Edmonton Arts Council
10440-108 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta Canada T5H 3Z9
Return of Submissions:
Following completion of the competition, applications will be kept on file and the artist’s name added to the Edmonton Public
Art database. If the artist does not want to have their application added to the database and indicates so on the entry form,
application support materials will be returned when accompanied by return postage.
Loss or Damage: While every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage, the jury, the Edmonton Arts Council and
their agents shall not be liable for any loss or damage, however caused.
Commission: The total commission for the artwork is $19,900.00 CAD (including GST) and must cover all costs associated with
the design, fabrication, and installation for relevant site locations of the artwork including but not limited to artist fees, materials,
insurance, etc.
Original Work: The artist must guarantee that the artwork is original and does not violate the copyright of any other person.
Contract: The artist(s) will enter into a contract with the Edmonton Arts Council.
Copyright: The artist(s) must be prepared to assign ownership and License to Copyright of the artwork to the City of
Edmonton. Reproduction rights may be negotiated. The artist may retain the right to be identified as the creator of the artwork.
The City of Edmonton will not alter the artwork for purposes of maintenance, conservation, etc. without prior consultation with
the artist. The City of Edmonton reserves the right to move or de-accession the artwork if necessary and will make every effort
to notify the artist.
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sample budget
Sample Budget Form
Expenditures
Details
Dollar Amount
Administration costs:
Includes permits, documentation, studio,
overhead, storage, etc.
Artist Fees:
includes concept design, design
development, coordination and artist
project management, etc.
Engineering and other Specialist
Consultant Fees: Including structural,
mechanical, electrical, landscape, etc. as
required to develop proposal.
Fabrication:
Including all costs related to materials,
fabricators and/or contractors and
fabrication. Additional pre-Installation
storage costs (for any anticipated off site
storage that is not already assumed in
studio costs)
Transportation and Installation:
Including all delivery, travel, contractor
costs ,site related costs, etc.
Insurance, General Sales Tax:
($2 million general liability, automobile
insurance through installation, all taxes
including any GST, HST, other out of
province or out of country taxes as
applicable)
Contingency:
Sufficient to cover unexpected
developments that are the artist’s
responsibility (10% suggested)
Total Expenditures
$19,900.00
(not to exceed CAD Cash Value)
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$
submission form
Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience Public Art Project
Name:
Address:
City/Province: Postal Code/Country:
Phone (home): Phone (work):
Email Address: Website (if applicable):
Please retain my application as part of the Edmonton Public Art artist database at the Edmonton Arts Council.
(Check one.) r YES r NO
r EAC Monthly r Art Rubicon r Akimbo
How did you hear about this Call to Artists? EAC Weekly
Other: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I , _________________________________ (PRINT NAME) hereby make a Submission for the Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience
Public Art Project and am in agreement with the Terms of Competition as outlined in the Information Package.
Applicant SignatureDate
Check List – Include all of the following:
r 1. SUBMISSION FORM
r 2. PROPOSAL PACKAGE
r 3. ARTIST STATEMENT & BIO
r 4. REFERENCES
r 5. PROPOSAL IMAGES
r 6. BUDGET FORM
(Project Summary & Project Description)
r 7. CURRICULUM VITAE
r 8. VISUAL DOCUMENTATION of Previous Work
- JPEG files only please, we will not accept pdf, PowerPoint or tiff formats; minimum 150 dpi for 6” x 9” images) on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM;
r 9. VISUAL DOCUMENTATION LIST (see page 17)
r 10. RETURN POSTAGE (Only if application not retained for database)
Please send entry requirements listed above as separate files on a CD, no hard copies of these requirements will be accepted. Applications
will not be accepted by fax or email. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Deliver To:
Hawrelak Park Water Play Experience Public Art Project c/o Edmonton Arts Council 10440-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5H 3Z9
Deadline: Received in office no later than 4:30 pm Monday, Friday March 20, 2015.
The information on this application is being collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of the FOIP Act and will be
used by the Edmonton Arts Council to determine eligibility for Edmonton Arts Council Public Art programs. The aggregate data may be used for program planning and evaluation. All information collected by the Edmonton Arts Council
is protected by the provisions of the FOIP Act. You may direct questions about the collection, use or disclosure of your
personal information by this program to the Edmonton Arts Council at (780) 424-2787.
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