Batavia is looking for an artist to create a new sculpture to last “for at least the next century” in the city.
In a press release, the city of Batavia revealed it “is seeking proposals from artists to create a public artwork to adorn the new columbarium at Batavia’s west cemetery along Illinois Route 31.”
The release adds that “the sculpture work will become a woven part of the fabric of the cemetery and will remain in place for at least the next century.”
“The sculpture should present a timeless design that reflects a level of reverence, honor and dignity befitting of those who rest within the cemetery,” said Batavia Public Works Director Gary Holm.
Batavia Communications Manager Lori Botterman said the statue is for the recently completed columbarium which “is now available for folks to purchase a niche for their loved ones.”
“The sculpture contest comes now and we are seeking designs for the artwork,” she said. “We don’t know how many people are going to come forward but we have sent notices to the art community and some folks in the artist publications. We also have kind of a thriving art community here within Batavia – we have Water Street Studios and there is a pretty vibrant community there. We’ve had sculpture competitions in the past in Batavia for work that adorns our bridge and those were also competitive events.”
Having a deluge of submissions, Botterman said, “would be a good thing to have,” adding that there will be “a jury of art professionals” who will be evaluating the proposals.
“There will be art professionals and once they make their selections, the City Council and the public will also have an open house to look at the designs before narrowing things down to 10,” she said. “Then those 10 will be given funds to create a model which would then be reviewed by the jury as well as the City Council and the public again.”
She said “the City Council has the ultimate decision” as far as selecting the statue design.
The press release notes the 10 finalists will be given a $500 stipend to complete the model submission.
Artists, Botterman said, “will also be required to make an artist’s statement and provide a resume.”
“We’d like to see some of the other work they have so it’s not something amateur and that people have the ability to create a structure – a public artwork like that,” she said.
Artists have until Aug. 10 to submit initial proposals. Finalists will have until Sept. 21 to submit their models. The winning design will be announced in October.
Open to artists over 18 years old and living in the United States, the city will award the winning artist $10,000 for the completed and installed design.
For specifications and competition details, go to cityofbatavia.net/cemeterysculpture
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
