THE KEMMERER MAIN STREET COMMITTEE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THE EAST PINE AVENUE MURAL

The City of Kemmerer, Wyoming, through the Kemmerer Main Street Committee hereby requests proposals for the design and installation services for a mural to be located at 806 Pine Avenue, Kemmerer, Wyoming

Proposal Request: Open

The Kemmerer Main Street Committee is seeking proposals from qualified artists and graphic designers to create a mural depicting the historic settlement of Kemmerer utilizing the imagery of the mines, the railroad, historic residents and historic buildings.

The mural will be located on the east side of the building located at 806 Pine Avenue, Kemmerer, Wyoming. The goal of the Kemmerer Main Street Committee is to select a qualified artist or graphic designer who can demonstrate artistic excellence and create a mural consistent with the following theme:

The City of Kemmerer has rich mining, pioneering and cultural history. The mural is to depict the City’s heritage with potential images reflecting coal mining, ranching, the California, Mormon and Oregon trails, Native American tribes of the region, significant historical residents, farming, agriculture, bootlegging moonshine, railroads and energy development. It could incorporate reproductions of historic residents, buildings or events. The future looks bright for eco and recreational tourism, industrial, energy and economic development and numerous recreational activities.

Scope of Work and Location

The location of the mural will be a wall on the east side of the building located at 806 Pine Avenue in Kemmerer, Wyoming. As noted, the goal is to create a mural related to Kemmerer’s history, incorporating themes reflecting the many cultures who have contributed to the history and development of the community.

The successful artist will be responsible for the preparation of the design including, but not limited to, design, layout, and art production. The space is rectangular, 64 feet long by 14 feet high. The wall is terminated at the ground meeting the parking lot at a ninety degree angle. A photograph of the wall is provided with this Request for Proposals, but interested muralists are encouraged to visit the site to further evaluate the wall in relation to their proposal. The Kemmerer Main Street Committee seeks experienced muralists, including individuals or an artist design team, with an excellent mural proposal that is novel, creative and engaging. Prior experience creating large murals, including work on scaffolding on a large building wall is required. The use of a monotone or full color palette will be left to the discretion of the designer.

To be considered for the work, interested muralists must submit a proposal to Kemmerer Main Street Committee that is to include:

1. A narrative and drawing illustrating the concept, including supplemental information such as medium and approximate dimensions of the proposed mural. The narrative should convey the artistic intent, colors, style of work, etc.

2. A suggested method and cost estimate for a protective coating that will be applied to the mural after completion. The artist will be required to apply the protective coating.

3. An itemized budget and cost proposal.

4. A timetable for the Project (the mural must be completed within 60 days of the Professional Services Agreement).

5. A maintenance plan describing the material and processes used (so that repairs can be made) and a schedule of required maintenance (such as the replacement of an anti-ultraviolet coating), consistent with the following:

• Periodic inspections, at intervals recommended by the artist, should be made of the surface of the mural for cracks caused by changes in the substrate below. Repairs should be made so moisture cannot get under the surface and cause blistering due to temperature changes affecting the surface.
• Any repairs to the painted surface must be re-coated according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as necessary to preserve the anti-ultraviolet coating.
• Anti-graffiti anti-ultraviolet coating, with a minimum number of coats recommended by the coating manufacturer, should be applied on a specified schedule, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The art piece should be cleaned and thoroughly dry before any application of the recommended protective coating.
• If it is determined that it is desirable to clean the surface of the mural, washing instructions shall be included. For example, this could include washing with cool water (under 90 degrees Fahrenheit), and Joy Dishwashing liquid or any dishwashing liquid that does not contain chlorine, or a mild solution of Tri-sodium Phosphate and water (diluted to the recommendations of the manufacturer), which could also be used to clean the surface of the mural, along with thorough rinsing. Use of any cleaning products with bleaches or oils would not be appropriate and should not be recommended.

6. A detailed resume, contact information and artist statement.

7. Supporting material such as examples of other works and/or reviews of similar work. Examples should describe size, materials, cost and location of other public art projects.

8. Artists shall submit their qualifications, consistent with the Artist Selection Considerations set forth below, to Kemmerer Main Street Committee with their proposal.

9. Three (3) copies of the proposal shall be submitted which must be printed one side of the paper only and bound with a spiral or similar edge binding.

10. A statement describing the artist’s or art firm’s experience in all tasks associated with producing a quality product. This must include murals of a comparable scale created by the artist;

11. Samples of the artist or firm’s work and a draft sketch of the proposed mural.

12. At least three recent references with telephone numbers.

Artistic Selection Considerations

The selection of an artwork proposal to be implemented for the project will be based on the following criteria:

1. The aesthetic quality of the proposed work. Artwork examples submitted must represent the artist’s own original creative work. The artist’s work should reflect artistic excellence, innovation and originality, as evidenced by professional quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills, techniques; professional approaches to processes and presentation, and/or communicate a unique vision or perspective.

2. The artist’s work will be judged on the basis of being appropriate to the goals of the project and the demonstrated maintainability and durability of the artwork’s design, materials, and fabrication and installation methods

3. The artist’s professional experience must be appropriate to meet the demands of the project. Qualifying activities should include some combination of the following: education and training as an artist; an exhibition record in museums; commercial art galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces; previous public or private commissions; participation in artist-in-residency programs; or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice. Artists must have experience creating large mural artworks, preferably on large exterior walls, and must also have experience using scaffolding during the creation of such mural. Students are encouraged to participate if they have a faculty advisor with the qualifying experience and activities.

4. The feasibility of the preliminary proposal to be implemented in a timely manner.

5. The artist’s availability to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project as required.

6. An assessment of the ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.

7. Results of reference checks.

Evaluation of proposals will be based on the graphic that best portrays the theme, cost, as well as the ability of the artist or designer to produce a professional quality product. The most qualified respondent may be invited, at Kemmerer Main Street Committee’s discretion, to an interview with the property owner and representatives of Kemmerer Main Street Committee. Artists submitting proposals are hereby notified that the successful proposal will also be required to go through the City of Kemmerer’s Main Street Committee juried approval process, and the final award of the project shall be subject to approval through that process.

The property owners and the Kemmerer Main Street Committee reserve the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any irregularities or informalities in any proposal. The artist that is selected will be required to enter into a professional services agreement with The City of Kemmerer, the terms of which will be subject to negotiation by the parties. The agreement will include indemnification and insurance requirements to be provided by the artist. The agreement will also address issues of rights of reproduction, ownership and related matters consistent with the requirements of Kemmerer Main Street Committee and the provisions of the Federal Visual Artist Rights Act of 1990 (Title 17 U.S. Code et seq.).

Individuals or firms desiring additional information, including questions regarding costs and budgets, and to request historical photos may contact Dan Vaughn at 307-828-4069 or email at dvaughn@kemmerer.org.

Proposals are taken on a continuous cycle. Proposals should be sent to the attention of: Kemmerer Main Street Committee, 220 Wyoming Highway 233, Kemmerer, WY 83101.