Call for Artists: Waterfront Ship Sculpture for Market Landing Park Expansion

The City of Newburyport, in cooperation with the newly formed Public Art Committee (PAC), seeks to commission a signature artwork for prominent display in the newly expanded Market Landing Park Project located in downtown Newburyport. This Artist Solicitation constitutes a Request for Proposals (RFP) whereby prior qualifications of the artist, the proposed concept for this particular installation, and the proposed artist fee, can be evaluated for the purposes of making a final selection.

Market Landing Park is a flagship community space extending off the central waterfront boardwalk with expansive views of the Merrimack River. The park expansion, to be completed in late spring 2024, is the culmination of a decades-old community discussion about the future of this waterfront land. The new east and west park “wings” include a crucial shared use bike path connection across the central waterfront, which is expected to see heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic once opened to the public. A new plaza area extends off the west end of this bike path and will include two historical interpretive panels focused on “Ship Building” and “Life on a Ship.” Park expansion plans, designed by Sasaki Associates and approved by the City Council, contemplated a ship sculpture at this focal point to accompany the adjacent interpretive panels, harkening back to the central waterfront’s rich maritime history.