https://washingtongladdensjprf...
Open to: Ohio and National Artists
Commission Amount: $750,000-$850,000
Entry Open Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Entry Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2025
Project Summary: The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of Columbus, Ohio is inviting Ohio and national artists to submit up to nine (9) digital images of past work for the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park Project commission. From the submissions, a group of semi-finalists will be selected to visit the park and meet with the committee in preparation of creating a site-specific artwork proposal. Students enrolled in any degree-granting program are not eligible to apply.
Project Background and Park History: The park is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden, a Columbus community leader with a national following. Gladden was viewed as the father of the Social Gospel Movement in the early 1900’s. Gladden was a staunch advocate for social justice in terms of civil rights, workers’ rights, voting rights, religious pluralism, and the needs of the poor and oppressed. Gladden spoke at colleges, churches, seminaries, and public halls across America.
The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of Columbus, Ohio serves as a sponsor of the park, reflecting its commitment to social justice as a principle of its faith. As part of its commitment to support the community and serve others, the church has dedicated 18,000 square feet of its property for use by the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park and has provided leadership and financial support for the park’s development. The park is governed by a community board.
The park is to be an oasis of hope for those that embrace diversity, and a safe haven for the oppressed. It lauds past achievements and reveals ongoing struggles through displays and experiences that educate and encourage constructive action toward a better future. It is a place of beauty where strangers become neighbors, building a just, caring community.
Instead of advocating for specific positions on major social concerns, the park's focus is to promote awareness, understanding, and engagement. It is a place where the community intentionally can come and journey together through art, education, and constructive dialogue to explore ways to bring justice to situations that can’t be ignored. Social justice occurs when a caring community comes together regardless of sacrifice or risk, to empower the oppressed, to seek equity for all, and to lift up human dignity.
Park Site: The park serves as a gateway to a six-block arts campus that includes the church, the Columbus College of Art and Design, and the Columbus Museum of Art. The park interrupts the hustle and bustle of downtown to provide a place full of beauty and meaning. Through a planned interpretive path, the walkway reveals inspiring quotes to offer reflection and guidance on the meaning of social justice. Through intended public art installations, the park adds to the adjoining community arts campus, but with a unique focus: social justice art. This includes the park's awarding winning sculpture, "Our Single Garment of Destiny", based on a Martin Luther King, Jr. quote from his Letter from Birmingham Jail.
Artistic Goals of the Commissioned Piece: Social Justice and recognition of Washington Gladden. The large screen currently has a Social Justice Legends vinyl mural that highlights many past social justice leaders. The small screen has a vinyl mural with an introduction to features of the park, and a biography of Washington Gladden. This commission will be the final, permanent artwork for the two screens at the site and will serve as the face of the park. To learn more about the park, please visit: https://www.socialjusticepark.... and https://www.facebook.com/SocialJusticePark/.
Technical Specifications: The length of the large screen is 96' from its left border to a step area on its right side. Its height varies from 5' to nearly 12' and is tapered on both ends. The screen averages 8' in height. The length of the small screen is 34'. Its height varies from 2' to nearly 5' and is tapered towards one end. The incorporation of a water feature may be part of the proposed design. Note: a water reservoir exists behind the large screen for use by a possible water feature. The material of the art project needs to withstand the Ohio weather and have low maintenance costs. Artwork must be able to be attached over/on existing concrete walls for support. Artwork may extend beyond the height of the existing walls if properly supported, but the design cannot remove or diminish the height of the walls. Note: the concrete wall is capable of supporting the weight of heavy materials if desired. It is 12" thick.
Selection Review Process:
Interested artists should complete the online form by visiting: https://washingtongladdensjprf... and click on the button that says register/apply.
In addition to the nine (9) images of past work uploaded, artists are requested to submit a pdf that includes a current resume (maximum four pages) and artist statement. The statement is to include the reason why the artist is interested in designing an art project for the park. This is a Request for Qualifications and proposals will not be considered at this stage of the process.
The Advisory Selection Committee will review submitted materials and will develop a list of semi-finalist artists that will be invited to meet with the committee for a site visit. After the site visit, the semi-finalists will create a site-specific proposal for artwork for the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park project. Travel and lodging expenses will be paid by the park for their site visit. Each semi-finalist will be provided a designated stipend upon submission of a site-specific art proposal. Artist proposals will be judged competitively by the Committee. Submitted proposals become the property of Washington Gladden Social Justice Park.
Ohio Arts Council Staff:
Kathy Signorino, Artist Programs and Percent for Art Director
614-728-6140 or kathy.signorino@oac.ohio.gov
User Entry Process
Log into the ArtCall.org system: https://washingtongladdensjprf...
