City Announces Second Art Competition for Bridge Sculpture

The City of Batavia announces the second of four annual sculpture design competitions for works of public art to grace the William J. Donovan Bridge across the Fox River in the heart of the city.

The theme for the 2011 piece of sculpture is history.

Next year's theme will be science; art is the 2013 theme.

As the most visible and important piece of public infrastructure in the city, the bridge and the associated sculptures will make a statement for current and future Batavians and others about the importance the community places upon these themes, as well as the unique ability of art, sculpture in particular, to convey thoughts, ideals and values to stimulate questions and to evoke joy, wonder or mystery, according to a statement by the city. 

The theme for the first competition was Nature. “Nature’s Harmony” by Kai Schulte of Sugar Grove, IL was installed on April 29, 2009. It is a kinetic piece, and in moderate winds, chiming can be heard from within the “heads.”  Approximately 20 artists from across the country submitted concepts.

The 2011 competition is open to artists 21 year of age or older residing within the United States. Work done as class projects will not be considered. The selected artist will receive the commission and award of $22,500 for the completed and installed sculpture. The award distribution will be negotiated in the contract, but is contemplated to be one-third upon commission award and contract execution, one-third upon completion and delivery, and one-third upon installation. 

Complete information on the project including time line and questions and answers can be found on the city’s Web site, cityofbatavia.net, under Projects and 2011 Bridge Sculpture. Proposals and related materials should be sent to: Donovan Bridge Sculpture Competition, Attn. Bill McGrath, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia, 60510.