Bend seeks artists for blank canvas: storm drains

Think your artwork can rise to the occasion – even if it adorns a storm drain? The city of Bend is offering just such a unique opportunity.

Bend’s Arts, Beautification and Culture Commission, in partnership with the city’s Stormwater Utility and Upper Deschutes Watershed Council’s Stream Stewardship Day, has issued a call to artists for a new stormwater awareness campaign.

The Storm Drain Art Contest, part of the City’s “Clean Water Works” campaign, seeks to use art to educate the public about the connection between our street storm drains, the Deschutes River, and beyond.

Show Theme – It’s All Connected!–Protecting the Deschutes River from stormwater pollution.

Dimensions – 72″ x 72″ approx.

Medium – Acrylic Paint

Deadline – June 19, 2015 for your proposal, roughs, and sketches for committee review.

Project Date – August 2015

Eligibility – Open to all artists. Acceptance into the show is determined by a jury comprised of commission members.

Selection – Up to three artists will be selected to paint on storm drains near the Deschutes River in time for the annual Stream Stewardship Day river cleanup on August 8.

“The art will be visible to the public and will play an important role in educating the community about water quality issues,” the announcement Friday said. The city will reimburse related project expenses, with receipts, up to $300 per storm drain.

If interested, submit your proposal no later than June 19 to:
Robyn Christie, City Recorder/ABC Staff Liaison
rchristie@bendoregon.gov

Or deliver/mail to:
City of Bend, ABC Commission
710 NW Wall Street
Bend, OR 97701

Artwork will be selected based on the quality of design and fit with the show theme. Proposals should consider aesthetically pleasing use of color and form and relate well to the surrounding environs in which they will be placed. Outside murals are subject to the harshest environmental conditions; murals must be painted with high-quality color-fast paint with the proven ability to maintain color-fastness.

Selection of paints is up to the artist, but each design shall be covered with a clear coat of environmentally sensitive sealant product similar to Valspar 100% acrylic latex clear protector. Materials, colors used, and design will be subject to the approval of the City of Bend.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to have a photo of their winning design and short bio included on the City’s website (bendoregon.gov/cleanwaterworks), and their work illustrated in a City Edition television segment. City staff will accompany artists on Stream Stewardship Day to help provide education about the event and stormwater pollution prevention.

Submission Requirements:
1. Digital images of relevant art work, submitted by email or on a CD
2. Project Approach: articulate design concept for the inlet(s) of their choosing (see attachment), anticipated maintenance requirements, estimated dates of execution and choice of materials (including manufacturer specifications). Limited to one page, type written, artist’s name, phone and return address.
3. Visual representation of project proposal.
4. Signed waiver for City use of video and photographic images.

Specifications:
1. Size of design is up to the artist, and may be contained on concrete sidewalk, inlet lid and structure, gutter, but not asphalt roadway.
2. The Arts, Beautification and Culture Commission and Utility Department have designated a selection of storm drain inlets to be painted.
3. Artist must remain on site until clear protector coat dries.
4. Due to the sensitive nature of the art installation location on the storm drain inlet, artist must have materials on hand to immediately clean up products if there is a spill, including absorbent materials and cloths. Plan for response and cleanup must be described with proposal. Artist must plan for disposing of dirty water NOT in the gutter/storm drain system/ river. Landscape areas are acceptable if paint is water-based. If paint is oil based, artist must propose an acceptable alternative disposal that does not harm the environment.