Edmonds Civic Park - Artist Selection Process

Edmonds Civic Park - Artist Selection Process Public Hearing
Posted on 10/14/2021

(Edmonds - WA) As the development of Edmonds Civic Park moves forward, community members have an opportunity to attend a Public Hearing at City Council on October 19th  for the approval of the artist selected to create designs for an art element at the park plaza entry. 

The new Civic Park design by Walker Macy includes the siting of a welcoming, signature artwork near the primary entry point to the park on 6th Avenue North. The process for selecting an artist to create artwork for this new site was initiated in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the final artist selection is taking place this fall. Facilitated through the City of Edmonds Arts Commission, the artwork budget is $90,000 and professional artists residing in the Pacific Northwest region were invited to submit qualifications for the initial application process as approved by City Council.

On September 23, 2021 the public art selection panel interviewed five finalists selected in April 2020. The panel subsequently made a recommendation to the Arts Commission that Seattle artist Clark Wiegman be awarded the contract for Civic Park artwork design development. The recommendation is being presented by the Arts Commission to City Council with a Public Hearing on October 19. 

The October 19th City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is held remotely using the Zoom Platform. Citizens may connect using a computer or smart phone at: https://zoom.us/j/95798484261 or join the meeting by phone: US: +1 253 215 8782, Webinar ID: 957 9848 4261. 

During the Public Hearing, Clark Wiegman, a well-established public artist who has been involved with many collaborative place-making projects, will make a presentation about his past work and overall qualifications. The artist will not present specific design concepts for the park at that time.

As with all major Public Art selection processes, the public is given opportunities to participate directly, in addition to being represented by the Arts Commission and the selection panel. The public is invited to participate by providing verbal and/or written comments in the advertised Public Hearing at City Council on October 19.  Once the artist selection is approved at City Council, the artist will work with the park designers and the community to develop concepts for artwork which will be presented at a public meeting this winter and the final design will be approved with a Public Hearing at City Council in spring 2022.

For more information contact the Arts Office, [email protected].