Call for Artists: RFQ - "Their Lives Matter" - Overdose Awareness Memorial Sculpture

Maryland residents are invited to submit their Qualifications and Letters of Interest in creating an outdoor public art memorial/awareness sculpture to be installed in North Beach, MD. This Call for Artists starts as a Request for Qualifications, Sample Works, and Ideas submitted via the online platform (publicartist.org) no later than June 30, 2023. Four applicants will be chosen to receive an honorarium of $1,500 to create maquettes and related material by mid-August 2023. One Artist will then be chosen to receive an honorarium of $25,000 to complete a work by August 2024, pending MSAC project grant funding approval. To apply, visit PublicArtist.org. Applications are due June 30, 2023. Please feel free to direct questions to Sandy Mattingly - EMAIL: sandy.otse@yahoo.com PHONE: 410-591-2673 (Voicemail available - Calls will be returned.)

The project is sponsored by the Twin Beach Opioid Abuse Awareness Committee (TBOAAC) formed in 2017 by the towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach to raise awareness of the opioid abuse crisis in our communities, connect those in need with appropriate resources, and remove the stigma of shame and denial surrounding addiction, overdose and overdose death. Committee membership consists of town government representatives, Calvert County Health Department, Calvert County Sheriff's Department, Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Emmanual Church Celebrate Recovery, and like-minded organizations and community members. Reducing the stigma of shame and denial is one of the top priorities of the TBOAAC in order for our community to heal from this opioid crisis.

The location for this sculpture is the Mark R. Frazer Sunrise Garden in North Beach, MD. North Beach is a Chesapeake Bay waterfront destination that attracts many tourists in addition to being the home to many within our community. Our VISION for the sculpture is to honor and preserve the memory of those we have lost, educate our community that overdose does not discriminate and is preventable, and to inspire hope for those who continue to struggle. We believe that public art creates hope, is a healing force and will provide a sense of unity to increase public engagement and bring about more awareness. A powerful inspiration that can have a positive impact on our community and our visitors alike to help reduce the stigma of shame and denial because "Their Lives Matter." This sculpture would also serve as a catalyst for additional public art projects to bring more awareness throughout the state.

The projected budget for project implementation is $25,000 and has the potential to increase with local donor support. The project is being administered by the Town of North Beach with support from The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) "Public Art Across Maryland" program which has fully funded the planning process. The project is also supported in part by the Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA).