Uptown Station is calling all artists

Calling all artist to submit work for the new station. (WJBC File Photo)

NORMAL – Officials with Uptown Station are asking for artists to submit work for the new building. Executive Director of the McLean County Arts Center Doug Johnson said any kind of art is welcome for submission.

“We are really looking for work that fits into the architecture,” said Johnson. “There could be the opportunity for everything from sculpture to photography, but it really depends upon the space and the various artist that submit work.”

The committee of working artists will serve to select works for purchase. The committee includes Doug Johnson, Executive Director of the McLean County Arts Center; Natalie Goken Wetzel, co-owner of the PD; and Slate Grove, MFA candidate in Glass at Illinois State University.

There has not be a specific genre of artwork chosen for the center.

“Everything from agriculture to transportation, there is a terrific history of railroads in Bloomington Normal,” said Johnson.”Because it is a multimodal station with an Amtrak station that would definitely be something we pay attention to.”

Submitting artists do have the opportunity to get paid if their artwork is chosen for the building.

“There is a budget, we are very fortunate,” Johnson said. “The town Normal has set aside a fund to support this. We are looking for filling quite a bit of space and our budget is in the neighborhood of around $100,000.”

Artists who are interested in submitting are asked to send in a digital image of their work which would include the price, size, weight and media. Documentation of exhibitions and professional achievement should also be included.

Deadline for submission of digital images for the initial review is March 2, 2012.

The Uptown Station, a new construction is the centerpiece of the Town of Normal’s Uptown Plan. As designed the Transportation Center is 68,000 square foot four-story structure with an attached parking structure. The first floor of the facility will accommodate Amtrak and the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System ticketing and office space, waiting areas, a food court, retail and general community information. The second and third floors will accommodate Town of Normal municipal offices. The fourth floor includes public meeting space and the Town Council chambers for the Town of Normal.

The facility will bring together and streamline several modes of transportation including high-speed passenger rail, intercity and local bus service, airport shuttles , taxi services, passenger vehicles and pedestrians.

For information on submitting a piece, go to mcaart.org.

(Amanda Pigott contributed to this story.)