July 25, 2014
Dear Sculptors, Monument Designers, Public Installation Artists, Gallery Owners at Large,
I am writing to personally invite you to enter the open call for art submissions for the Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial Project. I cannot tell you how I’m delighted to be involved regarding this once in a lifetime opportunity for you.
During the 1860’s, it’s estimated about 1,200 Chinese died while building the Transcontinental Railroad through the treacherous Sierra Nevada’s. The year 2015 will mark the 150th year since the Chinese were first to be hired to help finish this monumental task. The location has been sited to be at Dutch Flat, immediately off a major roadway in California’s Gold Country. The monument will be have proper signage and will have an area to view the lasting permanent monument for all to learn and see and to withstand the harsh winters these workers endured.
To commemorate this feat we will have a permanent monument to honor these sojourners. The diverse committee of entities such as the Chinese Historical Society of America, Chinese Six Companies, Organization of Chinese Americans (National), philanthropists, Caltrans, and as well as many others will commit to raise $300,000 for the entire project.
Our judges will be a select panel with deep knowledge of arts, culture and sculpture experts. Much has been written, in books, photographed, in films, in theatre, but never permanent monument to commemorate them. By creating this monument, this assures that these Chinese workers will be remembered for generations to come, and indeed forever, with this will enrich the history of Chinese Americans and an overlooked untold story of Americas in that important era in the building of this country.
Applying is easy online. Please consider completing the simple form and if you have any questions please do hesitate to call upon us. The deadline is September 30th, 2014.
I hope by reading this brief letter and applying, you are equally excited in this unique permanent monument.
With best regards,
Steven Lee
Project Founder and Director
Applying Artists will be asked to follow the process below. Portfolios submitted will be reviewed by a selection of qualified community panelists immediately after the September 30th deadline.
TO SUBMIT AN ARTIST APPLICATION CLICK HERE
For questions please contact:
Leanne Rodriguez, Artist Selection Administrator
crrw.memorialproject.artist@gmail.com
Click Here for CalTrans regulations on Designing Transportation Art as Monuments
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Selection Process
- Complete application form and submitted prior to September 30th 2014.
- Submit artwork examples that represent the artist’s own original creative work.
- The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project.
- The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project. Qualifying activities would include some combination of the following: education and training as an artist, an exhibition record in museums, commercial art galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces, previous public or private commissions; participation in artist-in-residency programs, or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice.
- Assessed ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.
Update (12/9/2015)
- Invitation were sent to 5000 National and International list of Sculpturors.
- 18 Applicants have applied
- 18 Applicants have submitted samples of their works and resume
- The general public will be allowed to vote for 5 semifinalists
- The 5 semifinalist will move to a selection committee of 5, chairperson Jay Xu current director of the Asian Art Museum. 2 finalists will be selected
- Each finalist will receive $4,000 for material cost to build a mock up for the final presentation and final artist selection.
- The public will be invited to vote again.
- The winner will be award the contract to build the monument.
