Orchard Drive Project Location

Public Art Opportunities

Birchwood Avenue Mural Status

RFQ process is closed.  Announcement of the selected artist is scheduled for May of 2023.

*IMPORTANT: It will be imperative that you read the Request for Qualifications as it outlines all of the requirements and describes all of the processes that must be followed in more detail than what is highlighted below. *

Request for Qualifications application

The City of Bellingham is seeking an artist or artist team to create a large-scale mural installation on the pillars and a retaining wall at an underpass in Bellingham, WA. The City is interested in artwork that would be painted on each of the eight large pillars as well as long the retaining wall adjacent to Birchwood Avenue.  

$70,000 is available for the design, materials, and installation of the artwork.

Selection Criteria

The RFQ materials will be ranked on the following (50 Points Max):

  • Experience in large-scale commissioned mural installations – Maximum of 30 points
  • Quality of work based upon portfolio submissions – Maximum 10 points
  • Ability to complete the project on time and within the budget – Maximum 10 points

Project Timeline

December 2, 2022 (by Noon): Request for Qualifications deadline

Week of December 12, 2022: Finalists contacted

March 3, 2023: Deadline for finalists’ conceptual design due

Mid-March 2023: Potential interview with finalists

April – May 2023: Design Finalization

May – September 2023: Installation

December 2, 2022 by Noon (12:00 PM).

Send your email submission to Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org. Submissions must be in PDF format.

No late submissions will be considered. 

For questions, call Shannon Taysi at 360-778-8360 or email at staysi@cob.org

All questions and responses will be posted to this site as they are received and answered prior to the deadline. Please refer back to keep up to date on those responses prior to the deadline.

Q: Do I need reference letters or just reference contacts?

  • A: Either is fine

Q: What wildlife is near the mural location?

  • A: The following information is from the Squalicum Creek Trail Corridor BA:

A review of findings for each species is summarized in Table ES-1. In addition, the project may adversely affect Pacific salmon Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) (Appendix A).

Common Name
Scientific Name		ESA StatusLife Stages
Considered		Impacts Analysis Determination
Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus  tshawytschaThreatenedAll freshwater phasesMay affect, likely to adversely affect for species. Critical habitat not proposed or designated.
Steelhead trout
O. mykiss		ThreatenedAll freshwater phasesMay affect, likely to adversely affect for species and proposed habitat.
Bull trout
Salvelinus confluentus		ThreatenedAll freshwater phasesMay affect, not likely to adversely affect for species. Critical habitat not proposed or designated.
Yellow-billed cuckooCoccyzus americanusProposed ThreatenedAllMay affect, not likely to adversely affect for species. Critical habitat not proposed or designated.
Oregon spotted frog
Rana Pretiosa		ThreatenedAllMay affect, not likely to adversely affect for species. Critical habitat not proposed or designated.
Table ES-1. Summary of Findings for Listed Threatened and Endangered Species
  • The SEPA contains this:

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Natural Heritage Program (NHP) database does not indicate the presence of any threatened or endangered plant species within the project vicinity.

  • birds:  songbirds    
  • mammals:  deer, mice             
  • fish:  salmon, trout

Squalicum Creek is mapped by WDFW as providing habitat for the following Endangered Species Act-listed species:

  • Puget Sound DPS steelhead (threatened) – present within the project area
  • Bull trout (threatened) – in lower reaches downstream of the project area
  • Puget Sound ESU Chinook salmon (threatened) – present within the project area
  • White Tail Deer
  • Non-native gray squirrels
  • Cottontail rabbits

*NOTE: The Puget Sound area is located within the Pacific Flyway, which is a flight corridor for migrating waterfowl and other avian fauna. The Pacific Flyway extends south from Alaska to South America. No portion of the proposed project would interfere with or alter the Pacific Flyway.

Birchwood Avenue Project Location
Birchwood Avenue Retaining Wall & Pillars
Birchwood Avenue Under Bridge
Birchwood Avenue Pillars
Birchwood Avenue Pillars (additional)

Video

Cordata Roundabout Status

The selected Artist Team is Lin McJunkin and Milo White. Progress photos will be posted Spring 2023.

For questions, call Shannon Taysi at 360-778-8360 or email at staysi@cob.org

All questions and responses will be posted to this site as they are received and answered prior to the deadline. Please refer back to keep up to date on those responses prior to the deadline.

Question – Can you please give me a min/max of how many images should we add? 

Answer – There is not a limit, however for the purposes of the jury review we will likely select no more than 10 works as examples per artist/artist team.  If the Artist/Artist Team submits less than 10 works, all will be included.

Inner Circle
Cordata Roundabout Approach
Cordata Roundabout Close-Up Approach
Horton Intersection Drawing
Roundabout Cross Section

Past Opportunities

Public Works Vehicle Barn – The selected artwork will be attached to undulating metal at the future site of the Public Works vehicle barn, 2200 Nevada Street. The artwork will be located along the Virginia Street side of the building, which is 38’L x 31.5’H (at tallest point) and a long section of vehicle door bays. The site is adjacent to industrial buildings and a bike path/trail connection. The project is anticipated to be complete in the winter of 2022 with a budget of $50,000.

Anamorphic Mural – A mural in the alley behind 1300 Commercial Street, on the columns of the public parking garage to enhance the alley adjacent to the public parking garage. The installation area included eleven concrete columns and two aggregate panels. Completed in 2019 with a budget of $5,000.​​ 

Traffic Box Artwork – Original artwork installed on six traffic boxes located in the downtown Arts District. The goal of the project was to reinforce a sense of place and enhance the identity of the district, while adding beauty and interest to the streetscape. Completed in 2019 with a budget for $500 for each image selected and installed.​

N Forest Street – Create and install artwork on two retaining walls along the southern portion of N. Forest Street (between E. Ivy and Rose Streets. Estimated to be completed in 2021 with a budget of $15,000.00.

Resources

Contacts

​Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org or 360-778-8360

Home > Services > Arts and Culture