Visitor’s bureau calls on artists for public installations in Fayetteville

The national arts network Just Kids and the tourism bureau Experience Fayetteville are now accepting proposals from local artists for a public art event the last week of August, according to a press release from Experience Fayetteville.

Selected artists will produce artwork for public display in spaces throughout Fayetteville. The partnership is seeking proposals specifically from Fayetteville residents and those who are actively involved in the city’s art community and is looking for original artwork ideas in the form of sculptures, installations and murals.

The request for proposals is available for download at the Experience Fayetteville website.

The theme is “Green Candy.” According to the request, “Either through the use of materials, form and/or content (theme), the proposed artworks should touch on the subjects of recycling, conservation, and/or sustainability.”

The Fayetteville Advertising & Promotions Commission recently entered into a contract for the project with Just Kids, also responsible for The Unexpected public art series in Fort Smith. The third installment of which was revealed earlier this year.

The Unexpected also included a mural in downtown Fayetteville that was completed last fall.

Green Candy is not a continuation of The Unexpected, said Molly Rawn, executive director of Experience Fayetteville.

“I think the goal is we want something uniquely Fayetteville and unique to our region. Public art is powerful in terms of tourism and what it can do for cities across the country, and it has been for decades,” Rawn said.

“This group happened to do something successful down the road from us, but we are not wanting to duplicate that,” she said, adding that while she’s “thrilled because art adds beauty to our town,” it’s important to remember it “can be a great source of economic development.”

The commission voted two years ago to set $105,000 aside to spend on public art.