The City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will commission three sculptures for its new Haymarket Plaza located in Downtown Eau Claire, next to the Pablo Center at the Confluence. The 3 sculptures chosen for Haymarket Plaza will be large-scale, and designed by artists or teams for permanent or semi-permanent installation. Artists can apply for 1, 2 or all 3 sculptures.
Budget: $90,000 total for 3 sculptures (does not need to be divided equally among the sculptures)
Eligibility: Professional artists over 18 living in the United States
Deadline: 10/29/2018
It is unclear from the details provided whether the application process requires the applicant to submit available artwork, proposed designs, or just qualifications. Please contact the call administrator for more information.
Project Description
Plans to transform a former parking lot into a public gathering space began in 2010, two years before the arts center was proposed. Placemaking sessions, held in the fall of 2013, used a theory called the ‘Power of 10’ to generate multiple ideas and elements for the public space that could have multiple uses.
Haymarket Plaza is located at the intersection of Eau Claire St. and Graham Ave. The Pablo Center and Haymarket Landing frame the south and east boundary while the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa River form the plaza’s north boundary. The proximity to Phoenix Park has facilitated design inspiration and a pedestrian truss bridge.
Haymarket Plaza’s design, theme and programing is the result of a very collaborative and inclusionary public input process. Desired program elements and activities that were identified through the process were:multiple forms and locations of seating, creating a flexible space that can welcome intimate gatherings and be able to expand to hold large group functions, an area used as a break out space for the Pablo Center during theater intermission, a space that is a unique and classy urban space for more formal or black tie functions, a space that is complimentary but different from Phoenix Park across the river, and, lastly, a space that celebrates Eau Claire’s river heritages, the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers.
The main theme of the plaza is “The Eddy”, representing the swirling forms the two rivers take when the Eau Claire River meets the Chippewa River. This form is reflected in the paving patterns of the plaza. The retaining walls and fi re walls are shaped to be complimentary to the Pablo Center’s entry canopy. “The Bean” is an elevated seating platform intended to become an interactive space in the plaza. The center fountain gives an opportunity to add water activity to the space. The “Central Green” is a green respite from the surrounding paved areas and holds flush concrete bands to eventually memorialize all the artists that have influenced or impacted the City of Eau Claire. Lastly, “Log Jam Plaza” runs along the river walk and holds random angular cut block seat stones. The arrangement of the seats serves as an informal interactive space and acknowledges the logging history of the City of Eau Claire.
Lighting is also an integral part of the design. The city and critical downtown stakeholders have a vision to create a dynamic light show surrounding the areas of the confluence. The light show will be a (composition) choreography or dance of color that will span from the rail bridge over the Chippewa River through Phoenix Park, across the Eau Claire River on the new pedestrian bridge, through the Haymarket Plaza, display throughout and on the Pablo Center, and complete the performance on the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge. The Rail Bridge, the Pedestrian Bridge, the Pablo Center and the Grand Avenue Bridge have already been festooned with lights. Haymarket plaza will display its part of the light show in multiple forms. Light columns will be sprinkled throughout the plaza, light tiles will be cast into the concrete memorial bands of “The Central Green”, the Fountain will have a choreographed sequence of lighting. Lastly, the river wall will have down lighting that can also have a color changing display.
Artwork Information
The sculptures in Haymarket Plaza will be large-scale, and designed by artists or teams for permanent or semi-permanent installation. The selected sculptures will be constructed of durable materials, with safety and the extreme elements of our climate in mind. Their presence will attract people through the innovative use of form and materials. We encourage artists to consider the culture, history and geography of the Chippewa Valley. The adjacent Pablo Center will be a creative beacon, drawing people to the arts, and the chosen sculptures will reflect this. Various sculptures may be added periodically.
Timeline
Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed in the following steps:
What to Submit
How to Submit
Submit all materials to Debra Christopherson via email to christdj52@yahoo.com
QUESTIONS? Contact Debra Christopherson, christdj52@yahoo.com
