Santa Fe Standard

Santa Fe County is seeking proposals from local artists for a public art installation to be featured in the lobby of the Santa Fe County Administrative Complex. The project aims to highlight Santa Fe's rich history and cultural diversity while showcasing the talents of artists from Northern New Mexico.

The theme centers on honoring unique, suppressed, or ecological stories of diverse communities that traveled the historic Old Spanish Trail, Camino Real, and later the Santa Fe Trail. These routes connected Mexico with Northern New Mexico, facilitating trade, settlement, and cultural exchange among Indigenous, Spanish, and Anglo communities. The initiative seeks to present diverse narratives beyond popular stories by highlighting resilience and vibrant community life.

Artists are invited to create a 3D sculptural mobile for installation in the skylight wells of the administrative complex's lobby. Themes such as migration, mestizaje, and co-existence should be explored through terms like trails, trade, migration, interchange, mix, junction, exchange, comingle, and node.

Santa Fe County envisions this artwork will enhance residents' and visitors' experiences with engaging art while reflecting Santa Fe’s cultural history. It also aims to promote public art as an essential element of community identity and pride.

The project budget is $75,000 covering design materials and installation costs. Eligibility is open to artists residing in Northern New Mexico who are at least 18 years old with experience in medium-scale projects focused on 3D or mobile works.

Submissions are due by Friday, March 14th at 5:00 pm. Interested artists can download submission requirements at https://www.dropbox.com or contact Project Manager Robert Lambert at rlambert@santafecountynm.gov for more information.