The City of Redding announces this call for professional artists to submit their qualifications to be considered to design, deliver and install public art that will serve as a landmark and destination feature of the Sacramento River Trail while drawing attention to the noteworthy Stress Ribbon Bridge and honoring the memory of one of Redding’s community members.

BUDGET: $200,000

ELIGIBILITY: Practicing artists age 18 and older

DEADLINE: January 8, 2021, 10:59 p.m. PST

Review full RFQ and apply here.

The Sacramento River Trail, which crosses the world-famous Sundial Bridge in the heart of Redding, and the Sacramento River Rail Trail, which extends north all the way to Shasta Dam and sits alongside a historic abandoned railway, have both been designated as National Recreation Trails in the National Trail System and together make up the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. The winding trail is popular with locals and visitors alike who want to take a casual stroll, a beautiful bike ride, or a long run. Parks, bathrooms, trailheads, and scenery along the trail make it a convenient and pleasant way to get some fresh air while enjoying Redding’s famous river. This trail is the crown jewel of Redding’s trail system, spanning 17.4 miles from the Sundial Bridge to Shasta Dam.

The Stress Ribbon Bridge sits between the Sundial Bridge and Shasta Dam, which anchor the ends of the Sacramento River Trail.  It was the first stressed ribbon bridge constructed in the United States. This elegant structure has a single clear span of 418 feet and 1 1/4 foot depth. There are no bearings or expansion joints. The deck of the pedestrian bridge consists of 40 precast concrete segments and a cast-in-place closure at each abutment. Precast segments are 13 feet wide and 10 feet long.  Sleek painted galvanized steel railings accentuate the structure’s gentle arc.  The bridge is showing signs of needing restoration in the near future of both the concrete surface and the railing paint.  The artwork installed in its immediate vicinity will inform details of this restoration, such as paint color(s), embellishments or embeds within the concrete.

The project is funded by the George Emmerson Family in honor of Susan Emmerson, who passed unexpectedly in July 2020.  Mrs. Emmerson was a wife, mother of four sons, and “Grammie.”  She was an artist and taught art for many years at local schools.  Her love of art and the natural beauty of the Sacramento River Trail inspired this gift to the community.

Finalist artists will be invited to participate in a mandatory site tour and development/presentation of a design proposal, and will be paid a $5,000 honorarium to offset costs. Reimbursement for travel and accommodations for artists out of driving range will be provided separately.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via the CaFE system.

QUESTIONS?  The cut-off date and time for receiving questions regarding this request is 12:00 noon PST, on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. All inquiries must be made in writing and may be submitted to the following email address:  chandra@chandracerrito.com