Public Art Wood Buffalo is inviting residents to submit an expression of interest for the Public Art Bench Program. The program is a pilot project that is anticipated to be repeated in each community over the next five years and is aimed at strengthening a visual connection between Wood Buffalo’s rural communities and its urban core of Fort McMurray.
The Public Art Bench Program will liaise with rural communities to create custom designed park benches. Park bench designs selected will be replicated so that a matching bench will be located in Fort McMurray and the other installed in the rural community of inspiration.
In its inaugural year, benches will be inspired by two communities, Saprae Creek and Anzac, and will be installed in the following sites:
- Site 1 – Vista Ridge Park located in the hamlet of Saprae Creek Estates
- Site 2 – Anzac Community Garden and Park
- Site 3 – Kiyām Community Park will be the site for the matching sister benches
- In future years, the sister benches may be located elsewhere in Fort McMurray
You can learn more about the sites below under Site Information.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Call for Expressions of Interest in its entirety.
The submission deadline has been extended to December 5, 2021 11:59 PM (MST)
Call for Expressions of Interest
Who should apply for this call?
The Public Art Bench Program hopes to attract expressions from creatives with varying artistic backgrounds including, but not limited to visual artists, designers, sculptors, fabricators, carpenters, fine crafters , and architects. At this stage, interested applicants are only required to submit an expression of interest.
Artist Information Session
Public Art Wood Buffalo and special guest speakers Karen Ho Fatt and Jamie Mason explore technical details, previous work, and community engagement elements in the Artist Information Session which took place on October 21, 2021.
Visit Participate Wood Buffalo to watch the information session.
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Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) |
October 7, 2021 |
| Artist Information Session | October 21, 2021 |
| Submission Deadline | December 5, 2021 |
Schedule is subject to change. Please see the complete schedule below.
Project Overview
Public Art Wood Buffalo is inviting local artists and designers to submit an expression of interest to work with rural communities to create a custom-made park bench. The park bench designs selected will be duplicated in the Kiyām Community Park location, creating two (2) “sister” benches. One (1) bench from each artist will remain in the rural community park, and the “sister” bench will be installed in Kiyām Community Park. This call will create a total of four (4) park benches.
Designs for the park benches should be innovative, original and of a high-quality artistic expression. The benches can be fabricated by the selected proponent or sent out to be manufactured based on the design.
Project Goal
The Public Art Bench Program is a pilot project that is anticipated to be repeated in each community. This project is aimed at strengthening a visual connection between Wood Buffalo’s rural communities and its urban core.
The goal of this pilot project is to create four (4) park benches designed by local creatives in collaboration with our rural communities that:
- enhance the connection between people and place;
- contribute to placemaking efforts and civic pride;
- respond to the history, current or future use of the respective park;
- broaden public experience of the arts;
- highlight the importance of arts and culture.
The Municipality recognises the significance that public art can play in strengthening the community, building identity, developing creativity and increasing awareness of the arts in our lives as well as a bridge to the truth and reconciliation journey we are on.
Budget
The total award for this project is $20,000.00 per artist/designer. The expected budget per bench is $10,000.00 including fabrication. The awarded artist will design and fabricate two (2) “sister” benches. The bench designs are to be inspired through community engagement of citizens and visitors to Vista Ridge Park in Saprae Creek, or Anzac Community Garden Park in Anzac. One (1) bench will be placed in the community park, and the “sister” bench is to be placed in Kiyām Community Park in Fort McMurray.
The following is included in the budget and to be undertaken by the selected artist/designer. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo staff will be available to support the selected artist/designer as needed.
- Community engagement with interested participants from Saprae Creek (Vista Ridge) or Anzac*
- Design concept creation
- Fabrication or manufacturing of the two benches
- Delivery and installation of the benches
- Sub-contractor and professional fees
- Insurance (general liability of up to $2M)
- Detailed maintenance package (note that desired lifespan of bench is 15 years)
Public Art Benches in Alberta
| Snail on a Leaf Bench at Celebration Garden in St. Albert by Karen Ho Fatt |
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| Conversations at the Rundle LRT Station in Calgary by Karen Ho Fatt |
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| Rhythms located in the Village Square Leisure Center, Calgary by Karen Ho Fatt |
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| End of the Line: Red Deer Elevator Row in Red Deer by Karen Ho Fatt |
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| Blooms on St. Thomas Street in St. Albert by Karen Ho Fatt |
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Site Information
There are three (3) sites for the community park bench project as follows:
| Site #1 - Vista Ridge Park |
Vista Ridge Park is located at 1 Spruce Valley Drive in the hamlet of Saprae Creek Estates and is an all-season recreation facility boasting 60 skiable acres for skiers, snowboarders, and downhill tubing. The park features a terrain park, meticulously groomed runs and a bunny hill for beginners, with two-quad chair lifts, an outdoor skate park, playground and a golf course.Interested proponents will have the opportunity to work with members of this community to inspire a park bench design. The selected artist/designer will fabricate or manufacture two “sister” benches.
HistoryThe hamlet of Saprae Creek is located 25 kilometres south of Fort McMurray and is the third largest community in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It is situated on the crest of the Clearwater River Valley and can be accessed from Alberta Highway 69. Established in 1987, Saprae Creek is a forested acreage hamlet that serves as a bedroom community to Fort McMurray. Saprae Creek is home to Vista Ridge, and 715 residents as per the 2018 municipal census. |
| Site #2 - Anzac Community Garden and Park |
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Anzac Community Garden and Park is located at the intersection of Cheecham Drive and Stony Mountain Road in the hamlet of Anzac and was built in 2015 and is situated in the heart of the community. It features gathering areas used for meetings and small gatherings, on-site community gardens, and a gazebo. Interested proponents will have the opportunity to work with members of this community to inspire a park bench design. The selected artist/designer will fabricate or manufacture two “sister” benches. HistoryThe hamlet of Anzac is on the western shore of Willow Lake in the southern region of the Municipality and is near Gregoire Lake Provincial Park. Located approximately 45 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray, Anzac can be accessed from Highways 63 and 881. Anzac is situated within a beautiful natural environment containing treasured resources such as lakes, streams, mature vegetation and wildlife habitats. The community was originally named Willow Lake but was renamed Anzac in 1917 as a railway stop on the Alberta Great Waterways Railway Line. It was named Anzac after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who surveyed the area after World War I. According to the 2018 census, there are 659 residents currently living in Anzac. The Anzac surrounding area is also home to Fort McMurray First Nation and the Willow Lake Métis. To help create a distinct character and sense of place, prominent buildings and other features such as public art, are encouraged to locate in the Community Core. |
| Site #3 - The Kiyām Community Park |
| Kiyām Community Park will be the destination for the second “sister” bench designed by each artist/designer. This project is aimed at strengthening a visual connection between Wood Buffalo’s rural communities and its urban core.
The ‘Kiyām Community Park,’ formerly referred to as the Franklin and Main Park, is a new park located at the busy intersection of Franklin Avenue and Main Street in downtown Fort McMurray. Kiyām is a Cree and Michif word meaning “Let it be,” and naming this park in local Indigenous languages is a way to honour Indigenous heritage in Wood Buffalo. The new Park’s name is the result of extensive engagement with Indigenous community representatives on an appropriate name for the park in a traditional language spoken in the region, commemorating Wood Buffalo’s Indigenous heritage. The Park will have unique features that stimulate the senses, tells our community’s and region’s story, and draws people to the area year-round in a beautiful setting that attracts the community, encourages downtown investment, and supports surrounding businesses. The Park benches will be placed in a strategic location, addressing the need for parks and outdoor spaces that contribute to improved health and safety and beautification, spurring downtown revitalization. Design of the Park includes accessible features such as community gathering spaces, a medicine wheel rock garden, micro businesses, an interactive water feature, a full-size basketball court, along with winter season activities such as ice skating and year-round lighting to enhance safety. HistoryFranklin Avenue is in the heart of the downtown core of Fort McMurray and is home to several businesses and residential buildings. The Franklin Hotel was the first hotel established in Fort McMurray and occupied the site from 1911 until 1934 when it was destroyed by fire. Seven years after the hotel was built, Angus M Sutherland purchased the hotel and a section of the building served as Sutherlands Drugs until 1921. In 1922 Frank O’Coffey purchased the building. The hotel featured a restaurant and a beer hall, a large wood stove separated the two areas. The hotel became the social hub of the community and served as a meeting place and a source of recreation for visitors and residents. Current and Future Use of the SiteThe Municipality is developing the site into a park which will be highly utilized as public open space. It is expected that the park will become an important social gathering place within the heart of the downtown, with businesses as well as children and their families from the many nearby businesses and schools enjoying this amenity. The park may also be used by people attending events or staying at the nearby hotels, when attendees/hotel patrons may ‘spill over’ into the park. The approved plan for the park is available in Appendix A – Approved Plan for Park. All works will be in public areas and as such, must not present any danger to public safety, health or welfare. |
| Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) | October 7, 2021 |
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| Artist Information Session | October 21, 2021 |
| Submission Deadline | November 18, 2021 |
| Notice of Award | December 10, 2021 |
| Rural Community Engagement | Winter 2021/22 |
| Fabrication and Installation | Spring/Summer 2022 |
*Schedule subject to change.
Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Interested artists/designers are invited to submit applications to our online submission form.
Submissions will be reviewed by the selection panel can receive up to 100 points based on the below criteria.
Every effort will be made by Public Art Wood Buffalo to contact the applicant prior to the submission deadline to request missing information. Applications that are incomplete after submission deadline will not be reviewed by the selection panel.
The online submission form will only accept files submitted in the following formats: PDF, WORD, EXCEL, JPG, PNG. Each file must not exceed 10MB.
Please contact PULSE at 780-743-7000 prior to the submission deadline if you are having issues with the online submission form.
| Requirement | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
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Expression of Interest |
A written proposal that explains why you are interested in the project. |
50 |
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Biography |
Provide a story about you as an artist or designer, what mediums you work with, and any credentials or experience that has shaped your practice. If applicable, include a link to your website or social media handle that best showcases your work. |
10 |
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Portfolio |
Include maximum of 10 images in jpeg or pdf format. Images must be numbered and titled.
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30 |
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ANNOTATED IMAGE LIST |
Submit an annotated image list that coincides with your portfolio images. Include a brief description of each photo (i.e. dimensions, materials, process, etc.) |
10 |
Selection Panel
The selection panel will review the submissions and select two (2) lead artists/designers to work with the community of Saprae Creek (Vista Ridge), or Anzac. The selection panel is comprised of 7 members inclusive of arts professionals, key stakeholders and interested citizens.
Artist Agreement
The successful artist or artist team will be required to sign an agreement with the Municipality. Upon notification of the winning proposal, the successful artist/designer will have 7 business days to finalize and sign the agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached within this period, the municipality may award the proposal to the first runner up to the winning proposal and allow 10 business days for that artist to finalize and sign the agreement or cancel and reissue the Expression.
Submission Deadline
Submissions will only be accepted online and must be received by Sunday, December 5 by 11:59 PM (MST).
| All inquiries can be directed to: |
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Public Art Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Please reference Public Art Bench Program in all communications |