CTA Seeks Artists To Enhance Red Line Stops
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Transit Authority has launched a search for artists who will spruce up and bring some expression to seven Red Line stops along the north lakefront.
The CTA on Thursday issued an official request for proposals for artists interesting in enhancing the public space at the Jarvis and Morse stations in Rogers Park; the Granville, Thorndale and Berwyn stations in Edgewater; and the Argyle and Lawrence stations in Uptown.
The Morse and Granville stations recently reopened after major upgrades. The Thorndale and Argyle stations are now closed for similar projects, and the Lawrence, Berwyn and Jarvis stops will soon see similar action.
"Public art is part of the fabric of our communities here in Chicago, including at CTA stations across the city," CTA President Forrest Claypool said in a news release. "Original artwork adds immeasurable value not only to our stations and communities, but the overall transit experience for our riders."
The CTA already features more than 50 works of art at 41 stations on the Pink, Red and Brown lines. For a few examples, the Addison Red Line stop near Wrigley Field features paintings by Steve Musgrave of Cubs legends in action on the field; the Montrose Brown Line stop features artist Jason Pickleman's assortment of aluminum letters that spell out street names in the Ravenswood neighborhood, and the Fullerton Red-Brown-Purple Line station showcases a sprawling tile mosaic depicting a prairie landscape, by Michael Dinges.
"Expanding the CTA's collection of permanent art is a valuable investment for our system and the communities they serve," Elizabeth Kelley, who is curating the new public art for the seven CTA Red Line stations, said in the release.
Local, national and international artists may apply. They must submit their qualifications and portfolio for consideration per the instructions in the Request for Proposals posted on the CTA Web site. An evaluation committee will then pick 25 artists from the submissions based on artistic merit, qualifications and professional recognition of the artists, and artists' written statements of interest. Those 25 artists will then be asked to submit specific proposals, and the top seven will be awarded a commission.
Submissions must be delivered in person or by mail no later than 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 to the Second Floor Bid Office at CTA Headquarters, 567 W. Lake St.
The CTA will discuss the Public Art Project at two community meetings on Tuesday of next week at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, at 6:30 p.m.; and on Thursday of next week at United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse Ave., at 7 p.m.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
