FREE ENTRY / Garfield Super Block - RFP: Pillars of Promise

Call Summary The Garfield Super Block Coalition (GSB) is seeking seven artists to create seven separate pillars, and one collaborative pillar to tell the stories of the seven ethnic communities that settled in the Central District from 1800 to 1975. The pillars will be fabricated by a third party for the Garfield Super Block site. Budget Description The selected artist(s) will receive a stipend of $10,000 after their final design is submitted to and accepted by the coalition. Project Description Theme: Collective Memory The heart of the GSB Art Plan is the Legacy and Promise Promenade, which will feature the seven artworks known as the “Pillars of Promise,” to commemorate the seven cultures that existed in the Central District prior to its official redlining and will contribute to the creation of a unique identity for the park as a welcoming and educational place for those who live, play, and work in the area. The pillar locations are currently designated on the Garfield Super Block Campus as encircled items A1 to A7 of the site plan below and will exist permanently at Garfield Park. These artworks will be created by an artist from each of the seven cultures; Black/African American, Chinese, Duwamish, Filipino, Italian, Japanese, and Jewish people. Additionally, the artists will have the opportunity to collaborate on a single seven-sided pillar (e.g. a heptagonal shape when looked at plan-view), with each artist designing one side. This pillar will have a solar/light function. Artwork Goals The shape, size, and material of the pillar will be designed in coordination with Site Workshop. Site Workshop will provide all artists with the size and weight constraints during the design process. Foundation and anchoring for the artwork will also be designed by Site Workshop. The artist(s) will submit final designs to a mutually decided upon fabricator for fabrication and installation. Materials will be decided upon mutually with the design team and landscape architects and Seattle Parks and recreation. This commission is for DESIGN ONLY. Artwork Location Description See Site Plan below. Site History The Garfield Super Block is located in Seattle's Central District and is shared by Medgar Evers Pool, play fields, Teen Life Center, and a community center, all owned and operated by Seattle Parks & Recreation and Garfield High School. The site boundaries are Cherry Street to the north, 23rd Avenue to the west, 25th Avenue to the east, and Alder Street to the south. The area is mainly residential in character along 25th and Alder, with mixed commercial uses at Cherry and 23rd Avenue.