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Public Art Committee seeking artists for outdoor artwork at new fire station

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The Fort Myers Public Art Committee is seeking artists for a representational, three-dimensional outdoor artwork to be installed at a new fire station serving the City of Fort Myers. The sculpture is to be installed at Station 17, a Missile Level E Essential Facility providing fire and EMS services to business locations and residential developments along Six Mile Cypress Parkway that are located south of Colonial Boulevard and north of Daniels Parkway, as well as the southbound lanes of I-75. Located in Ward 6 (represented by Councilperson Darla Bonk), the station is expected to be completed in late Spring or early summer of 2022.

Although representational, the sculpture or sculptural installation may possess modernist stylings or flair. The Fort Myers Fire Department and Station 17 would like the piece’s design to accommodate small groups who may gather for memorial events such as 9/11 commemorations and observances for fallen firefighters and police.

The facility is being designed by BSSW Architects, Inc. The site plan for Station 17 offers a number of possibilities for the artwork’s location, including the area outside the multiuse and educational room, at or alongside the flagpole, and adjoining the parking lot that faces Six Mile Cypress Parkway. [The Architectural Site Plan is appended to the Call to Artists so that interested artists can visualize possible locations for the artwork.]

Funding for the project is provided by the City of Fort Myers Public Art Fund. The total budget for the artwork is $50,000, which covers materials, engineering, fabrication, permitting, transportation, travel, installation, insurance, documentation, contingencies and the artist’s/artist team’s fee. While it will be the artist’s responsibility to provide engineering for footers, anchor bolts and concrete or other pad, the Station 17 building contractor will form and pour the pad and footers for the sculpture and provide electrical service for any backlighting or up-lighting that the artist wishes to include in the sculpture’s design. LED is preferred.

Artists who reside in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical ability. Minority artists living in the United States and U.S. territories are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for submissions is midnight EST of Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Submissions must be made on Café. You can find the Call to Artists/RFQ by visiting https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=9484.

On Tuesday, December 21, a selection committee consisting of members of the Public Art Committee, a member-at-large of the surrounding community, and designees of the Fort Myers Fire Department and BSSW Architects will choose three finalists from the submissions received. The winning artist will be selected following a virtual presentation of the finalists’ designs on February 15, 2022. Both meetings are open to the public.

Fabrication and installation is slated for June 1-August 31, 2022.

For assistance, please contact Donna Lovejoy, Public Art Liaison, Administrator Services Manager, Public Works by telephoning 239-321-7217 or emailing dlovejoy@cityftmyers.com. Questions may also be directed to Thomas Hall, City of Fort Myers Public Art Consultant at 239-691-2292 or tom@artswfl.com.

September 20, 2021.

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