Casa de Oro Library Call for Art – REVISED

The Project

The new Casa de Oro Library at the County of San Diego, will be located at 9610 Campo Road in Spring Valley near the Spring Valley Academy. The new library will double in size to 12,000 square feet with an approximately 2,000 square foot Community Room. In 2022, nearly 30,000 customers visited the branch and checked out over 63,250 items. Some of the features of the new library will include: Public computers plus laptops for checkout, High speed internet access and Wi-Fi throughout the branch, Community Room with after-hours access for community events, Teen area with study rooms, Children’s area with early literacy play equipment, Patio space and a Friends of the Library Bookstore and a designated parking lot. This project supports the library’s mission to celebrate the community.

The County of San Diego invites artists to submit qualifications for a few unique public art opportunities at the new Casa de Oro Library. This richly biodiverse area encompasses urban neighborhoods, local businesses, fields, forests, marshes, and streams—supporting a wide variety of native flora and fauna. Located near the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Loop and the East County mountains, the site offers sweeping views and connects residents to the region’s distinctive landscape and natural beauty.

Leah Goodwin, Owner of Leah Goodwin Creations (Consultant) is the art consultant for this project. Please read the entire call and then send any inquires to goodwin.leah@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted by using the Google form ; starting on June 24, 2025.

Deadline for applying is August 4, 2025, by 11:59pm.

NEW ART OPPORTUNITIES

The County of San Diego Casa de Oro Library is seeking applications from qualified artists, to be considered for commissions of a variety of artworks. Opportunities for artwork commissions include ceramics, mosaics, glass, paintings, paintings, and metal sculptures. Proposed art locations include the exterior building wall (facing Campo Road) the main entry mobile, and various interior feature corridor walls. Please consider that preference will be given to local (Casa de Oro area) artists.

Artists will be encouraged to explore themes that reflect the natural environment, celebrate local biodiversity, and uplift the environmental stewardship rooted in the identity of the Casa de Oro community.

Artworks should complement the vision of the library as a “statement” building—one that is vibrant and inviting. Selected pieces will be thoughtfully integrated into interior or exterior spaces that emphasize flexibility, visibility, and colorful, welcoming environments. Designs should honor the character of the neighborhood through the use of meaningful forms, textures, and colors that resonate with both the landscape and the people who live in it. In alignment with the Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan, the project seeks to enhance community pride and serve as a cultural touchstone for years to come.

The County seeks artwork that is durable, functional, and contextually relevant pieces that support the building’s role as both a practical community hub and a vibrant reflection of Casa de Oro’s character and values. Selected artists will be invited to interpret the essence of Casa de Oro through creative expression, drawing from the area’s natural beauty, the rhythm of daily life, and the collective hopes of the residents. This is a chance to contribute to a significant civic destination where art, learning, and nature are in harmony.

The actual fee for commission will not exceed the wholesale price customarily charged by the artist for similar artworks when sold to the public. The budget is all-inclusive and must cover design fees, travel expenses, all materials and fabrication costs, insurance costs, shipping or transportation to the site, preparation for installation, actual installation, taxes, personal documentation, and site visits.

Entries for art must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, August 4, 2025. Entries received after the deadline will not be reviewed. The Consultant is not obligated to notify artists when incomplete entries are received. Incomplete entries will not be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that entries are completed and arrive by the deadline.

Elevation of south Exterior wall and area for artwork

Area for Artwork 1: Exterior Artwork visible from the street – $25,000

There is a 17-foot wide by 8-foot-tall area on the exterior wall of the building where an iconic art element that serves to identify the library entrance from the street is desired. To provide a welcome to all who enter. The team will consider artists who work in ceramics, mosaics, tile, metal, glass or other multi-dimensional materials to create a large custom artwork. The budget is all-inclusive and must cover design fees, travel expenses, all materials and fabrication costs, insurance costs, shipping or transportation to the site, preparation for installation, actual installation, taxes, personal documentation, and site visits.

Selected artists will be invited to interpret the essence of Casa de Oro through creative expression, drawing from the area’s natural beauty, the rhythm of daily life, and the collective hopes of the residents. This is a chance to contribute to a significant civic destination where art, learning, and nature are in harmony.

Elevations of artwork areas; exterior wall and main entry COAR Design Group

Area for Artwork 2: Main Entry mobile or kinetic artwork – $13,000

The entrway to the library has an overarching terrace over the main doors, that would be enhanced and inspired by a mobile that identifies the entryway and provides a focal point for the building. The total area dimension is 27 feet wide, 16 feet 6 inches high, and 18 feet deep. A lightweight metal or glass, element that could be attached to the ceiling trellis could be created to inspire visitors and tell the story of the library and community

Area for Artwork 3: Landmark wall art for various areas (5′ high by 6′ wide) – $6,000 each

There are a few main corridors that will benefit by a Landmark art feature. We are looking for original commissions of artwork that are 6 feet wide by 5 feet high. The County seeks artwork that is durable, functional, and contextually relevant pieces that support the building’s role as both a practical community hub and a vibrant reflection of Casa de Oro’s character and values.

ART PROJECT SCHEDULE

June 24, 2025– Distribute Revised Call for Art
August 4, 2025 – Call for artists submittals due
August 11-13, 2025 – Art Committee review
August 18-22, 2025 – Artist(s) notifications/selected
August 25-29, 2025 – Award design contracts to commissioned artist(s)
September 29- October 3, 2025 – Conceptual designs reviewed, considered, and approved
October 17 – November 3, 2025 – Community engagement, input on design concepts
November 17, 2025 – Artists and Final designs selected, selected artists contracted
November 24, 2025 – March 2026 – Artwork fabrication and installation coordination
February-March 2026 – Site visits and design updates
May 2026 – Installation of Artworks

Criteria used to select artists for commissions will be:

Quality, creativity and strength of artwork concepts and workmanship as evidenced in images of past work and a professional resume.
Ability to demonstrate creativity and style that will support the guiding principles of the art program and support the Casa de Oro Community
Technical competence as evidenced by images of past work and a professional resume.
Aptitude for planning, budgeting and individually working on teams as evidenced by a professional resume and professional references.
Experienced and can demonstrate aptitude for working on art projects collaboratively with design team and stakeholders.
Accessible to appropriate technology (email/drop box) for communicating efficiently and effectively.

The Public Art Committee is comprised of representatives from the County of San Diego, EC Construction, COAR Design Group, Members of the County Art Commission, Representatives from the Library, and the project Architect. The Committee will review all complete, eligible entries received by the deadline. Judging from the qualifications shown in the Call for Art, the Committee will make selections for commissions.

Other Terms and Conditions

All artists will be notified that their submittal has been accepted. We reserve the right to revise this timeline, in its sole discretion and without notice.

Art Consultant is not obligated to notify artists when incomplete entries are received. Incomplete entries will not be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that entries are complete and submitted correctly through Google form on the website.

Any individual or professional artist who currently resides or works in the County of San Diego is eligible to apply.

Questions

For all questions concerning this Call for Artists, please contact Leah Goodwin, the art consultant, at goodwin.leah@gmail.com.

Responsibility for Submittals: Although we will make every effort to protect the materials you submit, Leah Goodwin Creations is not responsible for the loss or damage of any materials submitted.

Call for Art (CFA) Revision: Leah Goodwin Creations, with advice from the Public Art Committee, reserves the right to revise this CFA, including, but not limited to the submittal due date, the number of artists accepted, the timeline, the art budget, and the selection criteria at any time within its sole discretion.

Responsibility for Submittal Costs: Leah Goodwin Creations is not liable for any cost incurred by any person responding to this CFA. The applicant is fully responsible for all submittal costs. Leah Goodwin Creations does not assume any contractual or financial obligation as a result of the issuance of this CFA, the preparation and submittal of materials by a respondent, the evaluation of an accepted submittal, or the selection of finalists.

Submittal Acceptance/Rejection: Leah Goodwin Creations, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to reject any or all submittals received and to accept or reject any or all of the items in the submittal. Leah Goodwin Creations reserves the right to negotiate with any respondent after submittals are opened, if such action is deemed to be in the best interest. Leah Goodwin Creations’ acceptance and review of a submittal and/or submitted artwork concept, or artwork design does not constitute a commitment to award a commission to any artist or team.

Decline to Award: Leah Goodwin Creations with the input from the Public Art Committee, at their sole discretion, reserve the right to not award the commission to any artist (or artist team) due to inappropriateness of art.

The Artist retains all copyrights to any and all of the Artist’s submittals and, except as provided below, to the Artwork. Irrevocable License to Reproduce for Non-Commercial Purposes: The Artist hereby grants Leah Goodwin Creations and the Public Art Committee irrevocable license to make, or cause to be made, photographs and other two-dimensional reproductions of the Artwork or the Artwork Design for educational, public relations, and arts promotional purposes without payment of a royalty to the Artist.

In addition, artist(s) commissions will be asked to complete the ARTIST COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT AND WAIVER OF CAPA/VARA RIGHTS IN RELATION TO COUNTY CONTRACT.

Casa de Oro Library Call for Art – REVISED

The County of San Diego Casa de Oro Library – Revised Call for Artists with new art locations

IMPORTANT LINKS

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION