Request for Proposals – Wanderings: Delhi Park Entryway Public Art, Prince Edward County

As a way to honour the history, present and future of Delhi Park, Prince Edward County's Public Art program is undertaking a multi-year series of projects that will reside at the park's entrances. These public art projects will serve to reflect on the rich stories of the land, encourage folks into the park, and celebrate this beloved public space. The overarching theme for all of these projects is "Wanderings."

We are seeking artist and artist team proposals for the first project, sited at the Mary Street entrance to Delhi Park. Artists working in any medium with experience creating public artworks are welcome to submit. What would you make to signal the entrance of a vast greenspace?

Background

Delhi Park (pronounced Dell-high) is a creek valley landscape located within the Marsh Creek valley watershed and nestled in the centre of the town of Picton, with access points on all sides to different neighbourhoods. It is a designated cultural heritage landscape within a 31 acre municipal park. The park itself is an active transportation route for people, and hosts a wide array of wildlife. Delhi contains connections to Picton Bay (through Marsh Creek Park), Glenwood and Mount Olivet Cemeteries, Picton's main street via the Mary street parking lot entrance, and Nicholas street and Macaulay Village Park.

The Site

At the edge of a very busy parking lot, and a beloved tobogganing hill, this entrance has a birds-eye-view of the valley bowl of the park, with Marsh Creek, Mount Olivet Cemetery, the enclosed dog park, and the community gardens all within view.

Conditions for the Finished Work

• As this is the site of a former landfill, no digging is allowed.
• The work should have presence from the front of the parking lot, or is paired with a piece at the roadside.
• This call is not limited to a specific medium, however as the site is in a well-used parking lot, and is used as a toboggan hill, applicants are asked to submit works that won't disrupt any current uses of the space.
• Finished artwork must be structurally sound, safe, and accessible and adhere to the Public Art Content Standards.

Artwork Themes to Consider

• History of the site/area (former school site, former landfill)
• Natural heritage (floodplain, Marsh Creek, trees, water, creatures)
• Active transportation (walking as a means to get somewhere, walking as a means to be somewhere)
• Community uses (Community Gardens, Recreation etc.)
• As this is an ongoing series of projects, we are asking artists to propose artworks that can be in dialogue with future projects

Artist Eligibility Criteria

• Experienced with the design and creation of Public Artworks.
• Artist teams are eligible to apply

Budget & Support

The total project budget awarded for this commission is $25,000. The project budget is inclusive of all costs including but not limited to artist fee, assistants, fabrication costs, materials, insurance, HST, permits, P.Eng. stamp, equipment rentals, travel, and installation.

Timeline

• Call Opens: October 8, 2026
• Proposals Due: December 15, 2026 at 5pm
• Artist Selection Notification: February 2027
• Contract & Design Development: Spring 2027
• Installation: Summer 2027

Payment Schedule

The selected artist will receive a 50% deposit for the creation of the work, the remaining will be paid on project completion.

Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by peer assessors. Applications will be assessed according to artistic merit of the applicant's portfolio and proposed project, qualifications of the applicant, and the feasibility of the proposed project.

How to Apply

Please complete the application form, including the following materials:

• Artist CV (max 3 pages)
• Letter of Intent (max 1 page): Short statement that outlines applicant's public art practice and interest in applying for this call, and which briefly outlines a concept for this work including materials required and any information about how the piece will be secured.
• Portfolio Images (5 images): Relevant examples of the applicant's previous public artworks (images similar in theme or look to the proposed work are encouraged).
• Image List: file name, title, date, medium and size.