The City of Seattle is looking for an artist or team of artists to create two to five art works along the Burke Gilman Trail.  The commission is for up to $80,000.  Applications are due August 1st, 2011. The full text from the press release:

City seeks artist for Burke-Gilman Trail artwork project
Outdoor artwork to be installed at two to five points along the trail

SEATTLE- The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), seeks an artist or artist team to develop a permanent, multi-site outdoor artwork at two to five select points along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Each part of the installation will enliven its location on the trail and collectively create a larger cohesive artwork.

The artwork will identify the trail as a connector through the city and add an element of discovery to peoples’ experience on the trail. The artist will coordinate with staff at SDOT, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs to select sites and develop the artwork.

The call is open to artists residing in Washington state. All members of an artist team must reside in Washington. The budget is $80,000, inclusive of all costs to design, fabricate and install artwork. The application deadline is 11 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1. A link to the online application is available at www.seattle.gov/arts.

Developed on the site of the former Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway, the Burke-Gilman Trail was one of the first “rail trails” developed in the United States. The original 12.1 miles of the trail were dedicated in 1978.  At 13.9 miles within the city today, The Burke-Gilman Trail is a popular corridor used for both recreational and commuter purposes. More than 3,000 cyclists per day have been counted on the trail during the warm-weather months.

The trail traverses a diverse section of Seattle.  Along the trail’s route are residential areas; the University of Washington; views of Lake Union, the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Puget Sound; and industrial and maritime areas.  SDOT recently extended the trail from Fremont to Golden Gardens Park, ending with a dramatic view of the sound.  Beyond the Seattle city limits, the trail connects to the Sammamish River Trail as part of the King County Trail System.

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in communities throughout Seattle.  The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.