Portal for Frick Lane - Request for Proposals

Seeking proposals from qualified artists and creatives to develop an authentic storytelling project of the city’s Indigenous culture through the creation of an art piece serving as a portal to the south entrance of Frick Lane. The project delivery will mark the 10-year anniversary of the earlier improvements made in Frick Lane in 2016 to enhance the experience of users and to create an immersive, reflective and welcoming outdoor space.

The selected artist will be featured in social media, and their name will be included in these functional art pieces. 

Portal design, fabrication and installation:   The portal is intended to serve as a physical beacon and an educational canvas highlighting indigenous historical events, language, and/or traditional ecological knowledge of the Coast Salish peoples who have inhabited Whidbey Island for thousands of years.  The selected vendor must work closely with local Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to ensure cultural authenticity, proper protocols, and respectful representation. 

Note: The proposal for the portal can be a collaboration between an artist and a fabricator, or the artist can also be the fabricator.  

Scope of Work and Deliverables

Portal Art Piece

Conceptual design renderings of artistic vision to include:

Description of the thematic vision:  How the portal fits into the landscape and honors the local indigenous people’s history, heritage, and culture. The portal should also provide a welcoming entrance to Frick Lane and act as an iconic placemaking element in downtown Langley.

Description of materials, weatherproofing, engineering and public safety:

Structural materials (high-grade materials like marine-grade steel, UV-resistant glass, stone, or sealed concrete.

Weather resistant (wind load, heavy rain, etc.).

Public safety and ADA (Anti-graffiti coatings, round edges to prevent injury, slip-resistant bases, and clear wheelchair space)

General approach to anchoring and plan for obtaining necessary approvals, including any engineering needed

Ideas for integral lighting and utilities (low voltage lighting for night visibility and community safety.) that may be added later as a separate project.

Consultation: Lead or participate in cultural consultation sessions to validate designs before production. Participate in the presentation of the design to LMSA review committee, City Staff, Langley City Council for approval. Optional participation in presentation of the design to the local businesses and property owners.

Total Portal Project Budget (Design, Fabrication, Permits, Engineering and Installation) $12,000.00

Project Schedule

Proposals due by: October 8, 2026, by 4pm

Committee review by: October 9, 2026, however, will remain open until an artist is selected

Final Design by: October 24, 2026

Portal Production and installation by: December 16, 2026

Evaluation Criteria

Cultural Alignment:  Respect for Indigenous and cultural protocols and collaborative storytelling experience (40%)

Artistic Merit: Quality, creativity, and visual impact of past portfolio work (30%)

Technical Feasibility: Durability of materials and structural safety of the design (15%)

Budget & Timeline: Realism and efficiency of the proposed cost and schedule (15%)

Submittal Requirements

Proposals must include:

Artist/Agency Profile: Background, experience with public art, and philosophy on cultural storytelling.

Portfolio: Examples of past public installations or relevant artwork.

References: Contact info for two past collaborative partners or community clients.

Insurance requirements will be provided in a follow up to interested parties. The project will be located on both public and private property.

Please submit proposals to: Allison Gubata, Executive Director, LMSA,  [email protected] by 4:00 pm, October 8, 2026.  For questions, please send an email to the above address or call 360-499-6789.