Call For Artists: Mamquam Blind Channel Pedestrian Bridge

The Mamquam Blind Channel pedestrian bridge is a new pedestrian lift bridge that will connect downtown Squamish to SEAandSKY and provide a transportation link for residents to walk and cycle into downtown Squamish. This is an opportunity for a Squamish Nation artist or artist collective to showcase their creative talent on a longstanding piece of infrastructure and integrate Squamish culture into the design of the bridge. 

Interested artists are invited to develop 2D designs that will be integrated into the bridge. A single artist or artist collective may submit a proposal.

The total contract value is $10,000.00 and the deadline for submissions is December 1, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

For more information, please download the Call for Artists Information Package.  

November 5, 2021 – Issue art call to Squamish Nation Members

December 1, 2021 at 5:00 pm – Deadline for submissions

December 10, 2021 – Panel review and selection

December 15, 2021 – Notification of successful applicant 

Interested artists are invited to develop 2D designs that will be integrated into the bridge. 

  • Design A: Perforated metal panels: these will be metal screens that may have back lighting and will be laser cut with a design. $5,000 reward will be given to the winning design.  
  • Design B: Cast concrete pile caps: these will be an embossing or a relief in concrete. $5,000 reward will be given to the winning design.  

A single artist or artist collective may submit a proposal for with Design A, Design B, or both. The total contract value is $10,000.00.  

The design should: 

  • Celebrate, recognize, and give space to the Squamish Nation on whose Traditional Territory the artwork is to be located.  
  • Spark awareness to the community of traditional Coast Salish territory and culture.   
  • Be in Squamish Nation Coast Salish style of art.  
  • Reflect Squamish Nation heritage and culture. 

Elements to include could be visual motifs, images, words, or a combination, and materials used are to be metal and concrete. The selected artist or artists will not be responsible for fabricating these art pieces, but rather to create a design(s) and work with the fabricator over a minimum of three meetings to ensure the design(s) are appropriate and feasible. 

Artists interested in this project must prepare and submit an electronic application by email to Elizabeth Ross, Heritage Technical Advisor, Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title).

Email: Elizabeth_Ross@squamish.net

Deadline: December 1, 2021 at 5:00 pm

Please include the following:  

  1. A letter of interest of no more than one page describing the proposed designs for this public art opportunity. Please state if you are submitting your design for the metal panel, pile cap, or both. 
  2. Current resume/CV up to a maximum of two pages – if applying as an artist team then please provide a resume/CV for each artist. 
  3. Samples of previous work, which can include up to five images with a brief description (30 words max), title or artwork, medium, date of artwork, and dimensions. Submit high quality images. Do not submit original artwork.  
  4. Draft designs for either Design A, Design B, or both in vector file format that fit the specifications in the “Attachments and Specifications” section of this document. These do not need to be final designs and they can be a digitally produced image or a drawing.  
  5. Two references from people you have worked with on past projects and are familiar with your art and practice. Include complete addresses and telephone numbers.  
  6. Your contact information, including email and telephone number.