UTRGV is looking to commission a professional artist to create a public art installation at the courtyard in the entrance of the Music, Learning & Science Center on the Brownsville campus.
There is also the possibility of creating additional work on the lawn adjacent to the building’s west entrance.
The artwork should be site specific and aim to fit with the theme of the university and/or the region.
“I think they just want … work that’s themed to the area,” said Alejandro Macias, a lecturer for the School of Art and the gallery coordinator for the Art Gallery at Rusteberg Hall.
Potential artists can also take inspiration from UTRGV activities, disciplines or education in general. Other imagery that represents the region itself, such as the Gulf Coast, will also be considered.
“[Something that] has a little bit of the culture of this area, [something] that obviously is going to really enhance a little bit of the school spirit and some of the spirit of UTRGV,” Macias said.
Asked about the ideal type of candidate to apply, Macias, who also serves as a mural committee member, recommended that they be creative and flexible.
“I think just a strong work ethic [and] the fact that they are willing to really adapt to the spirit and the culture of the area [is good],” he said. “It’s just like being able to find a sense of balance within their style, but also being able to not only create, in a sense, awareness, but also celebrate the culture in this area.”
The artwork style and form is open, but it is highly suggested that durable, low-maintenance materials are used in order to withstand weather conditions and daily foot traffic.
According to Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art, the university is open to different forms of artwork.
“We’re considering all artists, professional artists,” Guerra said. “Actually, the sky is the limit. They may come up with a sculpture, they might come up with some sort of a tile art, perhaps, colored tile, or maybe it would be a painting. We’re going to consider a wide variety of different media.”
Other members of the Public Art and mural committees include university faculty and staff. Also contributing to the project is College of Fine Arts Dean Steven Block and Facilities Planning & Operations Associate Vice President Marta Salinas-Hovar.
The purpose of the mural committee is to help contribute input on the designs submitted.
By commissioning an artist to create these pieces, UTRGV hopes to “enrich the cultural and intellectual life of its campus,” according to the Public Art request for proposal.
“[It will bring] artistic life to the university as a whole, but [will also] celebrate the arts in general,” Macias said. “You don’t see a lot of murals in this area and I think it’s really a great idea that … there is a mural that’s going to be painted on the new music building. I mean that’s a great thing, rarely do you ever see it. So, if anything, that’s celebrating the arts–I’m totally in.”
Additionally, these projects will also honor the diversity of the region and aim to inspire the campus community.
According to Macias, integrating art on campus through installations is a good way to create a sense of awareness for people who are not too familiar with the arts.
Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. March 1.
To apply, candidates must provide:
–up to two pieces for consideration.
–a cover letter and letter of intent with a brief description of the work and its media.
–clearly labeled images for each work.
–a brief artist’s statement and CV.
–three references.
–costs of materials, labor summary and upkeep of the work.
–process description for maintenance.
According to Guerra, the selection decision is estimated to be made by early March and students could possibly see the art installation by the end of the summer.
“[The process] might take six months or maybe less,” she said. “I think if someone is selected by early March, maybe by the end of the summer that would be a nice goal, but I’m not sure we’ll meet it. Possibly by the end of the summer.”
In the future, the university hopes to continue adding art installations to its campuses.
“I believe there is another building they are interested in and, possibly, as new buildings go up, [the plan would be] for there to be public art on the new buildings, on and maybe in,” Guerra said.
She looks forward to the integration of public art on the Brownsville campus and hopes that it is only the beginning.
“I am very excited about having public art on our buildings,” Guerra said. “The building itself is kind of a multipurpose building, but the disciplines of music and science are represented in that building, so, we’re looking for something that will represent both disciplines and that will just be a really attractive, creative environment in that area of the campus.”
