James City seeks artist(s) for a LOVE sign at Warhill Sports Complex
Design must incorporate sports theme into the letters of the permanent art display
James City County Parks & Recreation is looking for an artist or artist team to design, build, and install a custom LOVE sculpture at the Warhill Sports Complex near Williamsburg. The county issued a formal request for proposals earlier this year, outlining plans for a permanent public art installation that will serve as both a community landmark and a photo destination for park visitors.
The project calls for a sculpture spelling out LOVE, consistent with Virginia’s statewide LOVEworks campaign, but with a design that reflects the complex’s identity as a center for organized athletics. Proposals must incorporate sports equipment or sports-related imagery into the letters themselves. The selected artist will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including design, materials, fabrication, and installation, within a firm fixed contract price. Interested artists can find the full proposal requirements through the James City County procurement office.
The finished piece will be installed on an existing concrete pad at the complex and must be freestanding, double-sided, and built to withstand outdoor conditions year-round. The county will provide lighting separately.
The LOVEworks program launched in 2013 as an extension of Virginia’s long-running “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism brand. Since then, more than 300 individual LOVE signs have been installed across the Commonwealth, from the Blue Ridge Highlands to the Eastern Shore. Each sign is designed to reflect something specific about its local community, whether that is a regional industry, a cultural tradition, or the character of a particular park or public space.
Williamsburg already has one LOVEworks installation at Waller Mill Park, where the letters are constructed from elements representing disc golf, kayaking, canoeing, and the park’s dog area. The Warhill project would add a second sign to the area, with a focus on athletic life rather than recreational outdoor activities.
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