Signal Cabinet Public Art Project

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Town of Blacksburg Public Arts Committee is seeking design submissions from artists who are local, regional, or familiar with the Blacksburg area. Designs will be installed on traffic signal cabinets at selected intersections around town.

The theme, You Are Here is meant to convey a sense of place and can be interpreted in many ways. Blacksburg has a unique identity; its recognizable features contribute to the collective feeling of belonging that characterizes the community. It is these ideas of “place” and “belonging” that the You Are Here public art project aims to reflect.

DESIGN PROPOSAL

Submitted designs should address the project theme, You Are Here. This theme reflects the town’s interest in using public art for public outreach and community building. The sites selected are all highly visible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Each site is a different opportunity to highlight Blacksburg’s spaces and elements.

Designs should consider the following: The specific project locations; the surrounding location’s physical and/or natural characteristics; the location’s relevant relationship to the Town or Town history; consideration should be given to how the artwork will be viewed by motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; Artists are encouraged to consider their personal connection to the theme.

The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on artistic quality, originality, responsiveness to the theme, and relationship to the specific site.

You Are Here Symbol: Designs should include the unifying symbol of an arrow (see example, right) within its composition to identify each art piece as part of a larger, connected project that spans a variety of locations throughout Blacksburg. Multiple of the arrow can be included if integral to the box design. In designing your arrow, please refer to the following criteria:

Location: The arrow should be incorporated into the overall design in a cohesive and creative way, but should be identifiable to viewers.

DESIGN GUIDELINES AND OTHER CRITERIA

To be considered, submissions must follow the below criteria:

• Artists may submit more than one design concept for a site.

• Artists may submit for more than one site.

• Artists should consider the geographic location of the boxes on the site when designing a submission.

• Designs may not contain any references to a business or promotions or advertisements of a business, including but not limited to websites, social media handles, QR codes, etc.

• Designs may not contain any traffic control-related images, such as stop signs or traffic signals.

• Designs should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.

• Designs should address the project’s theme: You Are Here.

• Designs should include the teal You Are Here arrow.

• Designs may not include references to Virginia Tech, including, but not limited to:

  • Dominant use of the colors Maroon and Orange

  • Official University logos

  • University-affiliated landmarks

  • University-affiliated phrases and trademarks

  • University-affiliated mascots

• Designs may not include any breach of intellectual property, brands or trademarks, or depictions of illegal activity.

• The Selection Committee may work with the artists to discuss modifications to selected designs if needed.

• If the final design differs greatly from the proposed design, the Town of Blacksburg reserves the right not to install the artwork.

LOCATIONS
There are three locations available for this project, listed below. Each traffic signal cabinet sits on top of an industrial-base concrete slab; some are surrounded by meters and piping. Artists may choose to incorporate those miscellaneous items (piping, concrete slab, meters) into their overall design, but it is not required. See images of each site in the Photos tab.

1. Patrick Henry and Progress Street

2. Roanoke Street and North Main Street

3. Prices Fork Road and Heather Drive

SUBMISSION AND SELECTION PROCESS

• Submissions are accepted via email and may be created in a digital format as long as the final design can be installed by the artist, in paint.

• Artists should place their intended design within the Design Template for consideration.

• Artists are encouraged but not required to provide an artist statement with their submission.

• Artists should submit an estimated cost of materials with their design.

• Designs must be submitted by Monday, March 31, 2025, to be considered by the selection committee.

• Please note: Artists submitting for this project should ensure they will be in town during summer 2025 to complete installation during the provided time frame of May - June.

Submissions will be reviewed by the Blacksburg Public Arts Committee and Town staff. Selected artists will be notified via email by April 21, 2025.
To Submit: please email your submission to signalboxproject@blacksburg.gov.

INSTALLATION PROCESS

Installation of the design will be completed by the artist in paint. Artists may use a variety of techniques, so long as the final product is hand-painted. See the Supply Resource Page for guidelines on recommended materials.

STIPEND

• Upon completion of the installation of the approved artwork, the artist will receive a $1,000 stipend per site.

• This stipend is separate from reimbursed material costs. (see artist responsibilities)

TOWN RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Town of Blacksburg Public Works will clean and prepare each surface for installation. Surface preparation includes but is not limited to sanding, washing, priming, applying anti-rust products, etc. Note: It may not be possible to fix everything, so artists should plan to incorporate surface imperfections into their design as needed.

• The Town will supply some incidental supplies such as drop cloths, tape, etc., as needed.

• The Town of Blacksburg Public Works will provide traffic cones and other safety measures to protect the artist from vehicular traffic as appropriate on the designated painting days.

• The Town staff will coordinate painting days with artists.

• The Town will erect temporary signage to direct pedestrians away from the area on installation days and coordinate with adjacent property owners and businesses to minimize disturbances.

• The Town will cover the cost of artist supplies for painted installations up to a maximum of $500. This will be paid in the form of reimbursement.

ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES

• Artists will take reasonable precautions to ensure they are visible and out of the path of vehicular traffic during installation and are not creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians.

• Artists will communicate with Town staff on their preferred installation period well in advance to allow adequate time for surface prep, sidewalk closures, and barricades.

• Artists should plan for variable weather conditions, and be prepared to postpone work during rain events.

• Artists should wear appropriate clothing and stay hydrated.

• Artists will properly dispose of residue of installation materials (i.e. not on the ground or down storm drain).

• Painting supplies will be provided by artists.

  • The Town will cover artist’s supplies for painted installations up to a maximum of $500. This will be paid in the form of reimbursement.

INDEMNITY

Each artist agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Blacksburg from any loss or damage, any third-party claims, demands, actions, legal fees, or costs for which the Artist is legally responsible, including those arising out of negligence, willful harm, or crimes by the Artist or the Artist's employees, agent or subcontractors. This "hold harmless" agreement shall survive beyond the term of the Artist's service contract.

The Town of Blacksburg will not be liable or responsible for any bodily or personal injury or property damage of any nature that may be suffered by the Artist, their employees, agents, or subcontractors in the performance of this Project, except to the extent of any negligence or misconduct on the part of the Town of Blacksburg.

VANDALISM AND MAINTENANCE

Artists should understand that the finished mural will be on signal cabinets and utility boxes and that time and weather will eventually cause artwork to fade.

Artists should also be aware that the Town of Blacksburg cannot prevent vandalism to said artwork. Artists must accept the possibility that their artwork may be altered, removed, or damaged at any time after completion.

COPYRIGHT

Each artist further grants the Town of Blacksburg the following exclusive rights:

a) Reproduction (including electronic images) for fundraising, educational, and promotional purposes.

(b) The right to remove the artwork (or sections of the artwork) from the site for any reason, including:

• Endangerment of public safety.

• Damage to the boxes (including vandalism) requiring repair or maintenance.

• Any sufficient fading or damage to the design that warrants removal.