Calling artists to the Railroad Bridge Request for Proposal

A gateway into the City will be the site of a new piece of public art to welcome people to Northampton. It is bittersweet to remove Leland Johnston’s” “Dream” mural, installed on the east side of the railroad bridge over Rte 9, but its removal and replacement signals a fresh way of looking at this space, and other spaces around the City.

The Northampton Arts Council recognizes the challenges of this project, but also notes its importance to our city.  We hope to encourage creativity with a level eye toward how the art will look in the future. The Request for Proposal is online only at northamptonartscouncil.org. This call is open to artists living and working in a broad range of media in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire counties. Artist Proposals are due on February 1, 2010 with a goal of announcing the finalist on April 1, 2010 and installation commencing in August 2010.

A jury will choose among the respondents and once the list has been narrowed there will be a chance for the public to see these proposals and provide on line input before the jury makes the final selection. The scope and importance of the project demands time and diligence to make a piece of art that reflects Northampton. This project is a template for more public art projects, and also a testament to the significance of art in Northampton. The BID is already working to improve the bridge appearance with power washing, already underway, new lighting and improvements to the railings at the edge of the sidewalk. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Pan Am Railways are also working to protect this area for its regional transportation and historic values

In recent years, Bob Reckman, former Ward 3 City Councilor and the members of the neighborhood opened discussions about the care and maintenance of the “Dream” mural, installed on the east side of the railroad bridge over Rte 9 funded by the Northampton Arts Council in 1991. It is in poor shape and cannot be repaired.  Leland Johnston, the artist who created it, believes it is time for something new in that location. The cost to refurbish the mural was staggering and an article about the condition of the “Dream” mural appeared on September 17 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Three groups or individuals expressed their interest in funding a replacement within the next 2 days by contacting Councilor Reckman.  The first was a donor who prefers to remain anonymous.  The second was Chartpak, Inc a Leeds based company that sells a wide range of art supplies and had been looking for a way to contribute to the local arts scene and the City.  In addition to money they are happy to contribute any of their products that could be used at no cost.  The third group was the newly created Business Improvement District (BID). Reckman, working together with Mayor Clare Higgins, brought the project to the Northampton Arts Council.

Click here for more details, and the Request for Proposal.