Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Woodland and Fairy Tale Themed Roundabout Sculpture

The City of Port St. Lucie is seeking an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install a woodland and fairytale‑themed sculpture for the new Torino Parkway roundabout, serving as a gateway to Torino Regional Park. The sculpture must reflect Port St. Lucie’s character, enhance the visual environment, promote safety, and complement the “Fairytale Forest Playground.” The project budget is $200,000, covering all artist expenses.

The City of Port St. Lucie invites qualified artists and artist teams to apply for an exciting commissioned public art opportunity at the newly constructed roundabout on Torino Parkway, serving as a gateway feature into the future Torino Regional Park. This large‑scale sculpture project is envisioned as a signature landmark within one of the City’s most ambitious new recreational developments. Reflecting the woodland and fairytale themes incorporated throughout the park’s design, the sculpture will play a central role in shaping the character, identity, and visual experience of the surrounding environment. Construction of the roundabout is expected to be completed in summer 2027, at which time the selected artist will install the completed artwork.

Torino Regional Park spans 75 acres of uplands, scenic water features, preserved natural areas, trails, and a wide variety of recreational amenities. Its design integrates activity zones such as a national‑standard Dragon’s Lair Skate Park, pickleball and basketball courts, a destination‑scale “Fairytale Forest Playground,” walking trails, a splash pad, pavilions, and other public facilities. The commissioned artwork will respond directly to these features—specifically the fairytale‑inspired play environment—and will contribute to creating a whimsical, imaginative sense of place for residents and visitors of all ages. The sculpture must be visually engaging from multiple viewpoints, experienced safely by drivers and passengers moving through the roundabout, and intentionally distributed throughout the available space rather than concentrated in a single monolithic form.

A budget of $200,000 has been allocated for the artist’s entire scope of services. This includes conceptual design, fabrication, engineering, permitting, site preparation, installation, and all associated costs such as travel, subcontractors, insurance, taxes, storage, and transportation. The selected artist is responsible for any foundation or plinth design and for coordinating with a Florida‑licensed structural engineer. Lighting and landscaping will be provided by the City, though artists may offer recommendations to enhance the integration of the artwork within the park.

Submissions will be evaluated through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. A Selection Committee will review all submissions and identify three to four finalists. Finalists will receive a $2,000 honorarium to develop a full proposal under a subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP). The selection process will consider artistic excellence, technical feasibility, material durability, public safety, past performance, and the completeness of the submission package. Visual artists, craft artists, designers, landscape architects, and interior designers who are U.S. residents and at least 18 years old are eligible to apply. City staff, Selection Committee members, and their families are not eligible, nor are firms with adversarial relationships with the City.

This project represents a significant investment in public art and community experience, helping to establish a unique cultural and aesthetic identity for Port St. Lucie. The City seeks artists who can deliver an imaginative, high‑quality, durable artwork that meaningfully enhances the regional park and its surroundings, supports safety and visibility for motorists, and contributes lasting value to the community. Selected artists will work collaboratively with the City and its project partners throughout design, engineering, permitting, and installation to ensure the artwork meets all municipal standards, project timelines, and long‑term maintenance needs.

More information about the park plan may be found here: https://www.cityofpsl.com/Government/Your-City-Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Parks/Torino-Regional-Park 

All materials must be submitted as a single PDF via email to publicart@designinglocal.com by June 24, 2026, 3:00 PM EST. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required submission materials:

● Cover Letter (1 page)
– Contact information
– Statement of interest

● Artist Qualifications (1–3 pages)
– Names of participating/lead artists
– Relevant large‑scale public art experience
– At least three professional references (with contact info)

● Up to 10 images of past work
– Preferably similar in scope
– Each image must include:
• Title
• Location
• Year completed
• Project cost (if available)

● Do NOT submit artwork proposals at the RFQ stage.

● Submit questions by May 22, 2026, using the online form; no phone calls accepted.

Eligible applicants:
● Visual, craft, design artists, landscape architects, or interior designers
● Individual artists or artist teams
● At least 18 years old
● Must be legal U.S. residents

Not eligible:
● City of Port St. Lucie staff
● Artist Selection Committee members and their family members
● Firms with adversarial history with the City, including related employees or financial/legal interests