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“From our Hands to Yours” Mural Request for Qualifications & Proposals

Lodge Cast Iron is seeking a mural artist or artist team to design and install a publicly viewable mural on a private building exterior located in the South Pittsburg, TN.

mural wall full photo

Lodge’s internal creative team is interested in a “From our Hands to Yours” theme based on Lodge’s long history of innovation, reinvention, and perseverance and Lodge’s 125 years of experience and passion, all coming together the moment Lodge’s product enters someone’s home.

PROJECT DETAILS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lodge Cast Iron is the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturer in the United States. Originally called Blacklock, founder Joseph Lodge fired up a long-dormant railroad foundry in South Pittsburg, Tennessee in 1896. Blacklock focused on manufacturing sad irons, tea kettles, kitchen sinks, and cast iron cookware. The foundry thrived until a fateful day in May of 1910, when fire completely consumed the building.

Always resourceful, Joseph Lodge purchased land a few blocks south of the original foundry. Just three months after the fire, in August of 1910, the new Lodge foundry began pouring and manufacturing cast iron products. To this day, the foundry is still operational; it's gone through significant changes and improvements over the years, but the overall method of creating high-quality cast iron cookware remains essentially the same.

Lodge Cast Iron has been making heirloom-quality cookware and accessories since 1896. Lodge has operated two foundries in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, which has been their home since the very beginning. Backed by over 125 years of experience, each piece of Lodge cookware is crafted for durability and versatility.

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LOCATION

The mural will be on the Northeast-facing wall on one of Lodge's production buildings at 400 Railroad Ave, South Pittsburg, TN, 37380. The wall is in a prominent location as an entry point into the Lodge campus. It faces the parking lot and can be seen by passersby on a busy connecting street.

Get directions

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The size of the wall is approximately 1800 sq ft, 150 feet long and 12 feet tall. The bottom of the mural is 8 feet from the ground, and the top of the mural is 20 feet from the ground. Vehicles can and do park in front of the wall. There is existing landscaping, including a grass verge between the parking lot and building that will remain. A site visit is not required but is recommended, particularly for artists selected for Phase 2 of the selection process.

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TWO-PHASED ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

Phase 1: Request for Qualifications.  Artists and artist teams are invited to submit their qualifications for consideration. All submissions must be made by the August 29, 2021 deadline via email at [email protected]. Up to 3 artists or artist teams will be invited to submit a proposal as part of Phase 2.

Phase 2: Request for Proposals. Selected artists/artist teams will prepare and submit a site specific proposal to be considered. An honorarium of $500 will be provided to each artist/artist team returning a completed proposal, which will be in addition to the all-inclusive mural budget.

PROJECT TIMELINE:

8/11/2021 Request for Qualifications issued (Phase 1)
8/29/2021 Request for Qualifications due
8/29/2021 - 9/1/2021 Applications reviewed/Phase 2 artists selected
9/1/2021 Artists Notified/Request for Proposals released (Phase 2)
9/20/2021 Proposals from selected artists due
9/22/2021-9/23/2021 Proposals reviewed
9/24/2021 Contract Awarded
9/30/2021- 11/5/2021 Installation of mural
10/1/2021-10/3/2021 Paint on site during Lodgetoberfest Event
11/5/2021 Target completion date

Note: We do not anticipate any changes in the schedule above, however, should one become necessary, artists will be notified in writing or, in the case of the RFQ, the information will be posted on Lodge’s website. However, artists should assume all deadlines are firm.

PROJECT BUDGET

The all-inclusive budget for the mural is up to $31,000, depending on the size and complexity of the work. Artists selected for Phase 2 will be asked to provide an itemized budget as part of the proposal submission.

The all-inclusive budget includes: all artist fees and costs associated with design, fabrication, travel, transportation to the site, site preparation, worker’s compensation and liability insurance, permits, installation, shipping and transportation of materials to the site, any equipment needed for installation as well as transportation for such equipment, mural protective coating,  any applicable taxes, time spent in progress meetings, and any other costs incurred by the artist for this project. Artists will be required to participate in one “Live Mural Painting” during Lodgetoberfest weekend event, slated for October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd weekend.  Event hours are to be determined.

Payments will be made directly to the artist(s) using the following schedule:   

  • 20% of total agreed upon fee is paid when contract is signed (9/24/2021)
  • 30% of total agreed upon fee is paid after the work is initiated (anytime between 9/27-10/1)
  • 50% of the total agreed upon fee is paid upon completion (on or before 11/6)

PHASE 1 RFQ SELECTION PROCESS

Submissions will be judged/scored on the following, with a maximum score of 100 points:

  • Artistic Excellence (maximum 50 points): The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques; demonstrates professional approaches to processes and presentation; and/or communicates a unique vision or perspective.
  • Professional Experience (maximum 30 points): The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including a proven ability to meet project budgets, deadlines, and to perform work in a timely and professional manner. Public art experience is required.
  • Experience working on a project of similar scale (maximum 20 points): Previous work that can specifically demonstrate the successful completion of projects that include partnering with stakeholders for the purpose of creating public art of this size/scale.

Artist submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of Lodge employees with experience in  design, manufacturing, and corporate level individuals.

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Please send a proposal addressing the following:

  1. Current CV/resume. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.
              - List individuals who will be working on the project, which task they will specialize in, and the name of their organization if applicable.
  2. Cover Letter or Letter of Interest and Approach limited to one (1) page.
              - Applicants should briefly describe their interest in the project and include a description of their approach which should include a brief description of your intended proposed materials for site preparation, the work itself, and any protective coatings recommended.
  3. Ten (10) images max of previously completed work that demonstrates an ability to design, create, and paint large scale, outdoor murals. We suggest providing images of 3-5 different artworks with 2-3 distinctive views of each piece, including one wide shot and one detail shot of each artwork. Do not collage multiple images into one image.
  4. Image identification list: An image identification list should be provided corresponding to the submitted images. Information should include image number, artist’s name, title, year, media, dimensions, location, project budget, commissioning agency, and collaborators (if applicable).
  5. Two (2) professional references. Please include name, title, address, affiliation, phone number, and email address.
  6. Submission Format: Responses shall be submitted as a single PDF file.
  7. Due Date: August 29, 2021 by 11:59:00 p.m. Central Time Zone.
  8. Submit proposal via email at [email protected].
  9. Optional. Artists may include up to three (3) selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, and other related information.

Please note: submitted materials will not be returned and incomplete applications may not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY

Artists who are over the age of 18 and located in Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia are eligible to submit their interest and qualifications. Artists who have a strong professional profile, experience in producing exterior semi-permanent public murals and/or have successfully worked on collaborative projects are encouraged to apply. Artist teams may also apply. Artists must be able to adhere to the project timeline.

 

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

Submissions may only be submitted electronically via email at [email protected].

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

All materials must be received by 11:59:00 p.m. Central Time Zone on August 29, 2021. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

 

EXHIBITION PERIOD

The mural must be installed between September 30 – Nov 5, 2021 and will remain for an anticipated period of 7-10 years, at minimum. However, in some cases the work may be removed prematurely, for example, should the building change ownership.

Please direct all questions or requests for assistance to [email protected].

Lodge Mural wall blank