Martin County FL - Newfield Town Center Sculpture

Newfield, a 3,500-acre master-planned development, is seeking qualifications and proposals from experienced and visionary artists or artist teams to design, fabricate, and oversee installation for a large-scale, permanent sculpture to be located in the Newfield Town Center Park. Newfield Town Center Park is an acre of open plaza and green space, located at the community’s social and retail core. This sculptural element will serve as a signature landmark and cultural focal point within the town center, offering a dynamic visual anchor in a high-traffic, publicly accessible open space. 

VISION AND CORE PRINCIPLES

The sculptural element will reflect Newfield’s overarching commitment to community, conservation, agriculture, sustainable development, and traditional neighborhood design. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme creatively, crafting a story that is specific to this community – this place’s flora, fauna, geography, environmental / cultural history, etc. – a combination of these themes, or an original theme.

This sculpture is one of many elements within the park that has the opportunity to tell a story. The artist should propose a vision for the sculpture but also create a story or theme that can be thread through the park and broader community. These other part elements will not be designed by the artist, but the sculpture will have an impact that spreads through the park. (See Appendix B for other park elements)

The sculpture must be visually stunning from a variety of vantage points. It will serve as a beacon when viewed from a distance and have detail that creates interest when viewed up close. A dynamic design that has variability is desired, whether it be evolving or revolving light, material, shadows, etc. The sculpture must be durable, low-maintenance, and safe.

To date, the discussion for this sculpture has assumed it to be laser-cut metal with integrated lighting, but all materials and ideas are viable. 

CONTEXT, SITE, AND SCALE

The Town Center Park is an acre at the heart of this 3500-acre development. The park and surrounding town center are anticipated to be the most heavily trafficked area within the development. Restaurants and retail form the park edge on three sides, and Newfield Parkway, a five-lane highway.

The sculpture itself sits at the intersection of a primary pedestrian flow and architectural centerlines. A runnel comes down from an adjacent water feature and surrounds the base of the sculpture. Shining light through this water could be an opportunity to create varied and moving light on the sculpture.

SCOPE OF WORK

Design - the selected artist is anticipated to present 3 preliminary ideas to development team for feedback with adequate visual aid required to convey look, feel, and character of the sculpture. From there, an idea will be progressed with an assumption that three rounds of feedback will be offered before a final design is reached.

Coordination - the artist will coordinate with structural engineers, landscape architect, electrical engineer, and civil engineer to ensure a coordinated installation.

Fabrication - the artist will fabricate the sculpture and will provide photographic reports showing fabrication progress as requested by the project team.

Installation Oversight - the artist will coordinate with construction team to ensure installation process goes as planned and will answer any questions / concerns that arise during construction.

BUDGET

Budget for hard costs (materials, fabrication, installation, insurance, etc.) is $150,000 but can be flexible if a great idea requires a greater budget.

Budget for soft costs (design fee, coordination, travel, etc.) - to be provided by artist.

TIMELINE AND PROCESS

Call Release - 10/16/2025
Deadline for Questions - 11/07/2025
Submittal Deadline - 11/17/2025
Conduct Interviews as needed - 11/17-11/24/2025
Notify selected artist - 11/24/2025
Sculpture Design Process - December 2025-February 2025
Installation - Fall 2026

-          Letter of Interest

-          Resume

-          Portfolio

-          References

-          Approach for sculpture (Visual aid preferred but not required)

-          Ideas for how sculpture will tie to the larger narrative of the park and community

-          Preliminary hard and soft cost estimates

Artist to be located within the United States and be available for remote interviews.