THE RIVER WALK PROJECT:
Art on the Edge in Astoria, Oregon
9 artists . . . 9 visions
Public presentation of artwork proposals for the River Walk Project
After much viewing and jovial conversation, on September 14, 2005 the AVA Artists' Selection Committee selected 9 finalists from over 80 applicants. Since then, the selected artists have chosen sites and have been developing ideas for artworks that celebrate and reveal the peninsula's natural, historical, cultural and industrial qualities.
The 9 artists presented their ideas and answered questions during the first public presentation, at the Astoria Holiday Inn Express, on January 14, 2006. Each artist was given about 20 minutes to describe their vision. Community input is very important to AVA and to the artists, and we were delighted to have a full room of residents and City officials. The presentations were then taken to the gallery for an Opening Reception, on January 14, and will be on display through February 5. We're working on making the presentations available through this website so that public review and comment can continue.
The 9 artists presented their ideas and answered questions during the first public presentation, at the Astoria Holiday Inn Express, on January 14, 2006. Each artist was given about 20 minutes to describe their vision. Community input is very important to AVA and to the artists, and we were delighted to have a full room of residents and City officials. The presentations were then taken to the gallery for an Opening Reception, on January 14, and will be on display through February 5. We're working on making the presentations available through this website so that public review and comment can continue.
The nine artists are:
Jill Anholt, Vancouver, BC
Jim Blashfield, Portland, OR
Jim Fink, Astoria, OR
Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan, Seattle WA
Fernanda D'Agostino & Valerie Otani, Portland, OR
Peter Richards, San Francisco, CA
Lily Tsong, Los Angeles, CA
Po Shu Wang, Berkeley, CA
John Young, Seattle, WA
Background
The peninsula of Astoria is surrounded by one of the most dramatic collisions of natural phenomena on the continent. Fierce storms roll in off the Pacific, bringing 75 inches of rain each year. Winds up to 100 miles per hour blast the region. Even on calm days an immense force of Columbia River water flowing over 1,200 miles and 1,000 vertical feet continually battles the ebb and flow of 12-foot ocean tides. Astoria's crescent-shaped waterfront is an arena focused on this river drama.
Astoria also posseses a rich and complex history: from Native American traders, to Spanish explorers, to Lewis & Clark, to John Jacob Astor, to an explosion of canneries and sawmills, to the collapse of fishing and logging. In the 21st century Astoria is home to a vibrant renaissance that builds on its history and its architectural, geographical and environmental beauties.
The City of Astoria has established the Riverwalk as a recreational link between Tongue Point and Smith Point along the Burlington Railroad waterfront right-of-way. Working closely with the City, thePort of Astoria, artists, planners and citizens, the firm of chadbourne + doss has researched the development issues, current and proposed developments, property owners, and physical characteristics along the Riverwalk. Their feasibility study represents the preliminary investigations, discussions and processes towards the realization of the Riverwalk Project.
Astoria Visual Arts (AVA) has solicited Request for Qualifications (RFQ) submissions from artists to provide public, site-responsive artwork at various locations along the five-mile Riverwalk in Astoria, Oregon.
This regional Call to Artists has commissioned nine artists (listed above) to receive an award of $4,000 each to visit the project site, develop final proposals and make a presentation to the selection committee and the public in Astoria, Oregon. Implementation of finalistsí artwork will be prioritized by AVA for further funding.
Project Goals
Proposed artwork should:
In a broader sense, the project may:
Up to $75,000 per artwork. Priority for project implementation will be determined by AVA based on the proposed projectís scope and budget. Budgets must include artists' fees, overhead and operating costs, fabrication costs, project-related travel, installation and site preparation, insurance and other artist-related costs.
Eligibility
This project was open to visual artists living in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and British Columbia.
Selection Process
Astoria Visual Arts appointed a jury to evaluate the submissions. The jury includes:
Selection Criteria
The jury selected the nine artists on the basis of the following criteria (in order of priority):
Jill Anholt, Vancouver, BC
Jim Blashfield, Portland, OR
Jim Fink, Astoria, OR
Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan, Seattle WA
Fernanda D'Agostino & Valerie Otani, Portland, OR
Peter Richards, San Francisco, CA
Lily Tsong, Los Angeles, CA
Po Shu Wang, Berkeley, CA
John Young, Seattle, WA
Background
The peninsula of Astoria is surrounded by one of the most dramatic collisions of natural phenomena on the continent. Fierce storms roll in off the Pacific, bringing 75 inches of rain each year. Winds up to 100 miles per hour blast the region. Even on calm days an immense force of Columbia River water flowing over 1,200 miles and 1,000 vertical feet continually battles the ebb and flow of 12-foot ocean tides. Astoria's crescent-shaped waterfront is an arena focused on this river drama.
Astoria also posseses a rich and complex history: from Native American traders, to Spanish explorers, to Lewis & Clark, to John Jacob Astor, to an explosion of canneries and sawmills, to the collapse of fishing and logging. In the 21st century Astoria is home to a vibrant renaissance that builds on its history and its architectural, geographical and environmental beauties.
The City of Astoria has established the Riverwalk as a recreational link between Tongue Point and Smith Point along the Burlington Railroad waterfront right-of-way. Working closely with the City, thePort of Astoria, artists, planners and citizens, the firm of chadbourne + doss has researched the development issues, current and proposed developments, property owners, and physical characteristics along the Riverwalk. Their feasibility study represents the preliminary investigations, discussions and processes towards the realization of the Riverwalk Project.
Astoria Visual Arts (AVA) has solicited Request for Qualifications (RFQ) submissions from artists to provide public, site-responsive artwork at various locations along the five-mile Riverwalk in Astoria, Oregon.
This regional Call to Artists has commissioned nine artists (listed above) to receive an award of $4,000 each to visit the project site, develop final proposals and make a presentation to the selection committee and the public in Astoria, Oregon. Implementation of finalistsí artwork will be prioritized by AVA for further funding.
Project Goals
Proposed artwork should:
- Focus attention on the Columbia River and/or waterfront. Enhance and be enhanced by the site in which it is placed.
- Encourage the viewer toward critical reflection of the historical, social, environmental, political and/or cultural heritage of the Astoria waterfront.
- Contribute to a positive experience of the waterfront for residents and visitors.
- Engage and attract pedestrians.
In a broader sense, the project may:
- Broach historical, social, environmental, political and/or cultural issues.
- Include public participation in development and planning.
- Give meaning to place by referring to local heritage and regional history.
Up to $75,000 per artwork. Priority for project implementation will be determined by AVA based on the proposed projectís scope and budget. Budgets must include artists' fees, overhead and operating costs, fabrication costs, project-related travel, installation and site preparation, insurance and other artist-related costs.
Eligibility
This project was open to visual artists living in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and British Columbia.
Selection Process
Astoria Visual Arts appointed a jury to evaluate the submissions. The jury includes:
- Ed Carpenter, nationally recognized public artist
- Lisa Chadbourne, principal, chadbourne+doss architects
- Rebecca Rubens (Agnes Field), artist/curator
- Lucian Swerdloff, artist/teacher
Selection Criteria
The jury selected the nine artists on the basis of the following criteria (in order of priority):
- artistic merit;
- references;
- experience applicable to this project;
- expressed interest in and understanding of the project.
