Seeking artists for tile or mosaic artwork at Willard Park Clubhouse

Professional artists can apply online to be considered for a mosaic or tile-based public art project at a new clubhouse adjacent to one of the City’s parks.

The proposed artwork would be on an interior lobby wall of a future clubhouse at Willard Park in South Berkeley. Measuring 18.5 feet wide by 10 feet high, the public art piece will be partially visible from outside.

Themes may encompass history, architecture, culture, or other site-specific concepts that appeal to a wide age range of Willard Park and Clubhouse visitors.

Any professional artist in the United States can apply for the $135,000 contract. Artists from historically underrepresented populations, including African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American communities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply on the Submittable application portal by 5:00pm PST on April 9, 2024.

Art installation details at Willard Park Clubhouse

The permanent artwork will be installed indoors at a future Willard Clubhouse, which is expected to be completed in 2025. The clubhouse will be located at the southeast corner of Willard Park at 2720 Hillegass Avenue, between Derby Street and Stuart Street.

Open to all artists, regardless of tile or mosaic experience. The chosen artist can collaborate with a professional fabricator to bring their two-dimensional artwork, like digital art, to life on the lobby wall.

The $135,000 contract covers artist fees, design, fabrication, delivery, and consultation during installation.

The City will hire a licensed tile contractor to install the artwork. Artists will be required to be on site during installation.

Application review and selection process

After the April 9 application deadline, a review panel will evaluate applicants based on criteria including compatibility with project goals, relevant experience, and artistic excellence.

Three finalists will be selected to create site-specific design proposals. Each finalist will receive a $1,000 honorarium for their proposal development.

The review panel will be composed of three Bay Area arts professionals, a Civic Arts Commissioner, a Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commissioner, a member of the architect or design team, and a community representative. They will meet in late 2024 to review the three proposals and then select one final artwork.

The panel’s recommendation will be submitted first to the Public Art Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Civic Arts Commission. It would then come to the full Civic Arts Commission for final approval.

Updating the clubhouse to meet community needs

Willard Clubhouse has long been used by elementary-aged children who participate in Berkeley’s after-school and summer day camp programs. The new facility, designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design, is designed to better meet the needs of the community, recreation programs, and events.

The final design for the multi-purpose recreation building features a 1,700 square foot all-electric building with a lobby, all-gender restrooms, office, kitchen, and large community room with a dividing wall to create two smaller rooms. Building completion is scheduled for Spring 2025. The artwork would be installed November/December 2025. A full timeline is available on the application form.

The Civic Arts Program fosters community connection through engaging artists to create impactful works that enrich our city. We collaborate with artists to bring forth permanent and temporary public art projects in various spaces throughout Berkeley, including parks, plazas, civic buildings, and more. Our goal is to enhance the built environment and reflect the distinctive character of our vibrant city.

Artists who’d like to be considered must apply online by 5:00pm PT on April 9, 2024.

Links

• Willard Park Clubhouse Public Art Commission: online application to submit qualifications
• Civic Arts Program: grants, newsletter sign up
• Willard Park: clubhouse replacement project