The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission (PAC) is seeking up to four artists to create artwork that can be photographed and printed on ceramic tiles and to be placed on the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge, located on Cathedral Canyon Drive at the Wash, as art in public places. Each artist approved by the PAC will receive $1,200.00 per art piece. Here are the details:
Project Background
- The Cathedral Canyon bridge (Bridge) is replacing the Cathedral Canyon Drive low-water crossing over the Whitewater River located in Cathedral City, California. Fourteen years in the planning and processing stage, the Bridge final completion is expected in May 2022. A thorough overview of the Bridge project, including numerous construction photos, can be access here or by searching http://cathedralcanyondrive.com/.
- In 2019, the City Council voted to name the Cathedral Canyon bridge after former Cathedral City resident Ms. Ofelia Bringas in honor of the decades Ms. Bringas spent caring for and mentoring hundreds of Valley youth. Additional details on Mrs. Bringas can be found here or below.
- The bridge has sixteen (16) pilasters. These pilasters have been designed to house unique 36” x 36” murals. These murals will be constructed from ceramic tiles, however the artwork to be printed on these ceramic tiles will come from this request for proposal.
- The full-size artwork contemplated in this proposal will be painted on stretched and framed canvas. The artwork will be digitized and transferred to ceramic tiles. These ceramic tiles will be kiln fired to create durable 36” x 36” murals. Each mural will consist of thirty-six (36) tiles measuring 6” x 6” each. There will be no grout between the tiles.
- All tile work (transferring artistic images from painting to tiles, color matching, firing, and installation) will be handled by a specialized tile vendor and the Public Arts Commission.
- Responsibilities of the selected artists end at the delivery of the finished paintings to the Public Arts Commission.
- Artwork digitization will be done from a high-resolution photograph of the artwork. Photographs of the artwork will be handled by a member of the Public Arts Commission.
Bridge Pilaster Photo, Diagram and Information:
- The installed mural will be centered (left to right and top to bottom) within the inset of the pilaster.
- The east side of the bridge is erected and may be viewed if desired.
Artist’s Submissions for Evaluation
- Please direct your art submission(s) to Stone James, Public Arts Commission Staff Liaison, sjames@cathedralcity.gov with the subject line “Ofelia Bringas Memorial Art Project”; and, any questions to Cathedral City Public Arts Commission Chair Hopings and Vice-Chair Scott.
- Chair Hopings: deeannhopings@gmail.com)
- Vice-Chair Scott: piperscott133@gmail.com)
- Submit clear photographs of (2) recent artworks from your portfolio along with descriptions of the works (approximate date, size, media, location, techniques and materials used).
- Submit a summary of your career information (education, artistic experience, contact information, etc.)
- We encourage artists to conduct additional research on Mrs. Bringas.
- Please provide a sample of what the art would look like if you would be chosen to produce this mural for the bridge. Keep in mind that this is a bridge with cars traveling in both directions. What is required is a clear, quick read of the message conveyed by the mural.
- No abstract artwork will be considered.
- In the interests of time and material expenses, the image submitted for evaluation will be 12” x 12”.
Description of the subject matter for the submission:
- Ofelia Bringas was very active in the community and was the driving force behind many charitable works and initiatives. Many Valley residents credit Mrs. Bringas with keeping them out of trouble during their youth and encouraged them to live a successful and productive life. One of her main points of interest was working on the language barriers between the children with whom she worked; specifically, this was the language barrier between English speakers and Spanish speakers. Mrs. Bringas had a deep love for animals, keeping dogs, cats, a duck, and a goat in the yard for the children to enjoy. Mrs. Bringas was also instrumental in the foundation and operation of the Cathedral City Boys and Girls Club.
- Background information on Mrs. Ofelia Bringas can be found by clicking here or searching Cathedral City City Government web site: https://www.cathedralcity.gov/services/engineering/capital-improvement-projects/ofelia-bringas-memorial-bridge-project/ofelia-bringas-bio.
Artist Selection:
- The Public Arts Commission will select 3 or 4 artists for this project.
- If three (3) artists are chosen, each artist will be responsible for (5) artworks and (1) artist will do (1) additional artwork. If four (4) artists are chosen, each artist will create four (4) artworks.
- In all cases, the result will be sixteen (16) total artworks.
- The fee schedule is $1,200 per artwork.
- Material purchases are the responsibility of the artist.
- All artists will be thanked for their submission and notified of selection outcomes.
Legal Information
- All original artwork for the murals will become the property of the City of Cathedral City. The City and Public Arts Commission will retain the right to reproduce and sell copies of the original artwork to benefit the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission and fund the future acquisition of art and art education.
- Additional legal information may be forwarded as needed
Financial Information
- Payment in full will be made upon completion of all of the artist’s assignments.
- Additional financial information may be forwarded as needed.
Project Process
- Upon notification of selection, the artists will be given the information that will be the inspiration for the artworks that they will produce. Work on the artwork may begin at that point.
- Abstract art is not allowed.
- The media shall be stretched and framed canvas.
- The artworks must be flat and capable of being hung vertically for photographing purposes.
- Each finished image will be full size: 36” x 36”.
- The artists will have five (5) days to complete and provide to the Public Arts Commission each image commissioned.
- Upon completion, the artist will notify Public Arts Commission Chair Hopings and Vice-Chair Scott.
- Chair Hopings and/or Vice-Chair Scott will inspect the artworks at the artist’s site, generate a high-resolution photo (300dpi or greater), and take possession of the artwork.
- Chair Hopings and/or ViceChair Scott are responsible for packaging and sending the physical artwork and photo to the mural vendor.
- Upon completion of each image, the artist will begin the next assigned image.
- NOTE: ALL assigned images/artworks need to be created and provided to Chair Hopings and Vice-Chair Scott on this five (5) day completion cycle.
- Due to the timing around the completion of the Bridge, the Public Arts Commission is working on a tight time line. Specific scheduling information will be conveyed to the selected artists upon notification.
