Seneca Lake Wine Trail sculpture competition in Geneva

The Geneva Public Art Committee and the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Association are seeking Requests for Proposals for a new sculptural artwork that will be placed at the entrance to Lakefront Park at Lake Street and Routes 5 & 20.”We are delighted to be working with the board of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail on this project, our first collaboration with a private entity and our first competition. The group came to us with ambitions to formally mark Geneva as both a destination and beacon for the Finger Lakes wine region. This large work of art will orient tourists, enliven our downtown, and remind citizens that they live in a creative and dynamic place. We hope that this will be the first of many such partnerships benefiting the community and celebrating the inspirational and place-making possibilities of public art,” said Kirin Makker, Chair of the City’s Public Art Committee.The RFP, which opens on April 13th and is due on June 13th, is asking for a striking piece that will complement the Uniquely Urban brand of Geneva, and that will be visible from both Routes 5&20 and Route 14. The intent of the sculpture is for a piece of art that visitors will stop for a photo opportunity as they arrive at the gateway of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and should explore the processes of harvesting and producing food and beverages from the agricultural bounty of the region.The sculpture is also required to incorporate a prominent text saying “Gateway to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail,” and also have text saying “Lakefront Park, Geneva, NY.””We’re always excited to work with communities on mutually beneficial projects like this: private/public partnerships are a terrific way to help realize worthy projects like the proposed public art rightly establishing Geneva as the Gateway to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. The Geneva Public Art Committee has been incredibly helpful in establishing this new partnership and we are confident this project will help us launch many other great projects into the future,” said Paul Thomas, Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.Installation will need to be completed by November 15, 2016. It should be a permanent piece that can withstand seasonal Finger Lakes weather.The Geneva Public Art Committee is composed of seven members of the Geneva community with an affirmative grasp of visual art concepts. The Public Art Committee facilitates the development of public art in the City of Geneva, recognizing it as integral to the vibrancy of our community. The Committee believes that public art contributions to Geneva will complement current strategies for economic development and tourism, enhancing neighborhood identity, and educating children and adults.In 1986 the Seneca Lake Wine Trail was formed in the heart of New York State’s Finger Lakes region to attract more visitors to experience its rich history, beauty, and production of world-class wines. Today, Seneca Lake Wine Trail is the largest and most active wine trail in New York State with a community of over 34 wineries, a distillery, breweries and a meadery.For information regarding the RFP including insurance requirements, budget, and schedule, please visit www.genevapublicart.org or contact Sage Gerling at 315-828-6585 or [email protected].