Ohio Department of Administrative Services - Tawnya Salyer Memorial RFQ > Register & Apply

         

Riffe Center for Government and the Arts

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) - Tawnya Salyer Memorial Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Open To: Ohio Artists                                                                                                           
Commission Amount: $182,500 inclusive of artist fee, design, fabrication, and installation.
Entry Open Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Entry Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2025

Project Summary: The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) invites Ohio artists to submit digital images of past work to be considered as a semi-finalist for the Tawnya Salyer Memorial artwork commission. The memorial artwork will be installed at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in Columbus, Ohio. The Advisory Selection Committee comprised of DAS staff and legislative representatives will review submitted artist materials to select semi-finalists to meet with the committee, tour the artwork site, and learn about Tawnya Salyer. Each semi-finalist will then create proposals for a new commissioned memorial artwork. Each semi-finalist will receive an honorarium for their site visit and proposal creation.

DAS employees and their spouses are not eligible to apply for this commission. Students enrolled in any degree or certificate granting program are not eligible to apply.

Project Background and Building History:  The memorial artwork (sculpture, bas-relief, or other dimensional work) is being commissioned to honor Tawnya Salyer, an apprentice pipefitter, who died in 1988 during the construction of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts.

Site Information: The Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts is home to the office of the Governor, members of the Ohio House of Representatives, and several of the State of Ohio's executive branch offices. The office tower is across the street from the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus.

Artistic Goals of the Commissioned Piece: The commissioned artwork should both memorialize Tawnya Salyer, an apprentice pipefitter who tragically lost her life during the construction of the Riffe Center, and also serve as a tribute to all Ohioans who have perished while performing hazardous and essential work. The piece should evoke a sense of resilience, sacrifice, and honor, capturing the spirit of those who dedicate themselves to physically demanding and dangerous occupations. It should be reflective and poignant, providing a space for contemplation and appreciation of the courage and commitment demonstrated by these workers.

Practical Considerations:
The artwork will be installed in a public building and should be durable and suitably maintenance-free. The budget provided is all inclusive of artist fee, design, engineering, fabrication, and installation. Paintings, murals, mosaics, suspended works, or other 2D works will not be considered.

Application Process:
Interested artists should complete the online form by visiting: https://dastawnyasalyermemoria...

  1. Click the orange button that says "Add New Application+" 
  2. Click your category that best describes your work
  3. Create a title for your application (for example: Memorial Portfolio)
  4. Add the dimensions of your largest work, a description of the materials you usually use in your work, the price of one of your works, and the date of your latest work.
  5. Agree to the terms and conditions listed and then click "Submit Entry Details".
  6. Once you click "Submit Entry Details" you will find a page where you can add nine images (in JPG format) and an artist statement/resume (in PDF format).
  7. Please note: Once you have uploaded your images and your artist statement/resume you are done. There is no final "Submit" button.