Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Terrazzo Floor Art

The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District (District) is requesting proposals from professional artists who would like to compete for a commission of an art installation at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).  Three major themes have been chosen, and four (4) sites have been identified for the placement of artwork. 

The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District (District) is requesting proposals from professional artists who would like to compete for a commission of an art installation at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).  Three major themes have been chosen, and four (4) sites have been identified for the placement of artwork. 

This installation will include four circular terrazzo floor medallions to be placed in the lobby of the airport’s new Parking Garage C / Consolidated Rental Car Facility that is scheduled to open in November 2025.  Two medallions measuring 12 feet in diameter will be placed near the elevator lobbies, and two measuring 8 feet in diameter will be located near the building entrances.  The selected artist(s) will create floor medallion designs, which will then be produced and installed by a terrazzo company to be selected by GSP.  The artist(s) will be required to work with the terrazzo company during fabrication and installation to ensure design integrity.

In addition to aesthetics, an art installation can also serve a broader function.  By placing art strategically along the flow of passenger traffic, art at GSP can function as a “wayfinding” device and can create easily remembered meeting places.  The intent of this installation is to contribute to the airport’s “sense of place”.   A sense of place in this instance refers to the way in which the airport creates a meaningful and authentic connection to residents and visitors, causing them to feel like an integral part of the local culture and community. 

For this call, the District is requiring the commissioned work to reinforce themes that are relevant to the region and the community.  This can be done by coordinating the art with the colors, materials and architectural expression of the terminal building. 

The three themes that have been identified include:

Where we live-integration of water and landscape – The Greenville-Spartanburg region and in particular the airport, has made a commitment to landscape and water that is unique and distinctive.

Where we’ve come from – textile capital of the world – Historically the region achieved global recognition and stature as a center of textile manufacturing.

Where we’re going – technology and mobility – This is about the future of the region and its preeminence as a North American center of technological innovation.

Any artist submitting concepts for this installation will be required to demonstrate how their proposed concepts support one or more of the above themes. 

Art Scope and Goals
The floor medallions will be visible to all users of Parking Garage C and those using the airport’s rental car services.  The art will act as a first or last view of the area for millions of travelers and residents each year. The intent of this installation is to be a continuation of the current art themes displayed in the passenger terminal.  See “To the Sky” to see samples of existing GSP art installations.

The primary goal of the project is to create visually stimulating designs that will be impactful, iconic and memorable for passengers and employees of GSP. Designs should express inspiration from the region, create a landmark or gateway for our travelers’ journey, and enhance the existing art collection at GSP.

Images and helpful information about the project can be found:

Images of garage exterior

Images of garage lobby 

Commissioned Art - Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) | South Carolina

Project Specifications

The terrazzo floor medallion will be a 3/8” epoxy resin terrazzo system, and any artwork must maintain the same full system depth.  The design includes four medallions, two measuring 12 feet in diameter, located near the elevator lobbies, and two measuring 8 feet in diameter, located near the building entrances.  There are no color restrictions beyond what is achievable using terrazzo as a medium.  It is important that the artist understands this material, how it is installed, the types of colors it can achieve, and how those colors are controlled.

Project Budget
The total project design budget is $100,000. The budget fully includes artist design fees, insurance and travel costs. The selected design will be produced and installed by a terrazzo floor company selected by the GSP Airport District. The artist is expected to work with the terrazzo floor company to oversee the fabrication and installation of the design.

The selected artists will be issued a Proposal/Design Phase Contract and begin collaborating with the terrazzo floor company and the GSP Airport District. The final design will be approved by the Airport Selection Committee.

Selection Criteria Process
The Airport Selection Committee, consisting of GSP Airport District staff, Airport Commission representative(s), stakeholders, and members of the art community, will evaluate each artist’s or artist-team’s qualifications, statement of interest and past work. Artist proposals will be reviewed, and selection will weigh heavily on the design.

Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Strength of design for the Garage C/Consolidated Rental Car Facility.
• Professional qualifications and prior experience with terrazzo floor design.
• Experience with projects of this scale, setting and complexity.
• Quality, creativity, and strength of work submitted.
• Adherence of design to the project themes.

The Airport Selection Committee will review artists’ proposals using the online CaFÉ platform: www.callforentry.org.

Timeline

May 23, 2025 – Call for Entry is opened on CaFÉ.

June 30, 2025 - Deadline for Proposals submitted via CaFÉ, 11:59 EST.

July 31, 2025 - Artist-teams selected/notified.

August 2025 - Artist to begin work with terrazzo floor company on design plan.

August 31, 2025 - Final design is approved by the GSP Airport District.

Fall 2025 - Fabrication and installation dates to be determined.

Reference Material Relating To Greenville/ Spartanburg Region

To The Sky

Commissioned Art - Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) | South Carolina

City of Greenville, SC

http://www.greenvillesc.gov/

City of Spartanburg, SC

http://www.cityofspartanburg.org

One Spartanburg, Inc.

http://www.onespartanburg.com

Upstate South Carolina Alliance

http://upstatescalliance.com/

Greenville Historical Society

http://www.greenvillehistory.org/

Visit Greenville SC

http://www.visitgreenvillesc.com

Submissions must be received through CaFÉ no later than 11:59 EST on June 30, 2025.

Required Application Materials

• Statement of interest (one page)
• Current resume (two pages)
• Images/samples of past work (three) with descriptions
• Images of proposed design for the terrazzo floor (four)
• References (three)

1.   Statement of Interest
 At minimum statement should:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the project scope.
• Describe your interest in this project at GSP International Airport.
• Describe a recent experience with projects of this scale and size, especially regarding public art.
• Schedule and availability to accomplish this project.
• Prior terrazzo art experience

2.   Current Resume

3.   Image Descriptions of Prior Work

Where applicable, include the commissioning agency, budget, completion date and project manager/client. With images that require clarification, provide a brief description (no more than two to three sentences) for each.

4.   References

Please provide the names, addresses, current telephone numbers and email addresses for three professionals to reference your past work and qualifications. Artists’ teams should provide separate references for each member.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to reject incomplete applications or responses.

This call is open to artists and artist-teams in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Applicants must have completed at least one art commission (public or private) within the past ten (10) years. It is preferred that artists have direct experience with a terrazzo floor design/installation, but this is not mandatory. Artists must provide evidence of prior public or private art commissions with documentation in their resumes, photographs, and references. The terrazzo floor experience should be documented as well. Artists must meet the above criteria to apply.