Dave Wells Community Center | REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Release Date: Wednesday, Sept 30th, 2026
Budget: $25,000 (three finalist honoraria of $500 each)
Deadline: Wednesday, Nov 4th , 2026 at 11:59 pm
Eligibility: Any artist living and working within the Memphis metropolitan area. Artists may submit only one proposal per project opportunity, but are invited to submit as a team if desired.
BACKGROUND :
For generations, the Dave Wells Community Center has been a gathering place for North Memphis, hosting local athletic events—including North Memphis Golden Gloves boxing weigh-ins and tournaments—as early as 1951. The facility also holds a unique place in Memphis pop-culture history. On December 27, 1956, Elvis Presley famously spent an afternoon at the center playing touch football with friends, including his longtime companion Red West, and local fans, continuing the game until dark.
Today, the Dave Wells Community Center remains a cornerstone of the North Memphis community, serving as a gathering place for community meetings, youth activities, and neighborhood events.
SITE SPECIFICS:
Currently, there are 27 square panels located on the exterior of the building, each measuring approximately 4 feet by 4 feet. The panels are positioned above eye level and wrap around the entirety of the facility.
The Selection Committee is interested in artwork that enhances and better integrates these existing architectural features with the overall exterior of the building. Artists are encouraged to consider durable, outdoor-appropriate materials, such as sheet metal or other weather-resistant media, that can be painted, cut, shaped, or otherwise fabricated to fit within the existing 4-by-4-foot spaces and securely attached to the building.
Proposed artwork should thoughtfully respond to the architecture and surrounding environment while creating a cohesive visual experience across all 27 panels. Artists may consider developing a unified design, a series of related works, or individual elements that collectively contribute to the overall aesthetic of the facility.
SCOPE OF WORK:
UrbanArt Commission (UAC) is partnering with The City of Memphis and Division of Park Services seeking an artist to enhance the exterior of the Dave Wells community center. They are looking for
1. A Vibrant Color Palette — “Make the Building Feel Alive”
We want colors that immediately communicate joy, energy, youth, and possibility. Incorporate Memphis Parks green as an anchor, complemented by gold/yellow, orange, blue, and warm red tones. The colors should work with—not compete against—the historic brick exterior.
2. Children and Families at the Center of the Story
The artwork should visibly represent the people who use Dave Wells: children playing, families gathering, young people learning, seniors connecting, and neighbors coming together. We want people to see themselves in the building before they even walk through the doors. Historical landmarks: FIRESTONE,MEMPHISTOAST,BONDSKIDS,ANNE P.PRODUCTIONS,KLONDIKE/SMOKEYCITY,NEWCHICAGO,BLUFFCITY CLASSIC,THE VILLAGE.
3. North Memphis & Memphis Culture Should Be Visible
The artwork should tell a story that feels authentically Memphis and North Memphis—our music, creativity, resilience, neighborhoods, history, and cultural influence. Rather than generic public art, we want something that makes people say, “This belongs here.” DAVE WELLS 1937, GUTHRIE ELEM.1915, HUMES MIDDLE 1925, MANASSAS HIGH 1899, CALDWELL ELEM 1950
4. A Message of Potential, Growth & Possibility
The artwork should communicate that Dave Wells is more than a recreation center—it is a place where potential is protected and people can become more than they imagined. Visual themes could include growth, movement, books/education, sports, creativity, pathways, stars, hands, or other imagery representing “Where I am” → “Where I can go.”
5. A Welcoming Landmark for the Community
We want the exterior to become a visual landmark for North Memphis—something recognizable from the street and inviting enough to make a child say, “I want to go in there.” The 27 artwork spaces should feel connected as one larger story rather than 27 unrelated pieces. The final design should create unity, pride, movement, and a sense of belonging. ELVIS PRESLEY,ISAAC HAYES, MISS GIRLIE'S RESTAURANT
The selection committee will select three finalists for the installation based on their portfolio, application materials, professional qualifications, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines. The commissioned artist will be selected based on the strength of their proposals, which will be presented to the selection committee.
UAC is committed to equity and inclusion in our work, both in the artists and organizations supported through the development of public art. UAC is especially interested in applications from artists who have not previously received public art commissions. People of color, differently-abled persons, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+, seniors, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.
( Examples of the artwork currently on the facility.)
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Toya Adams-Young-Director
Billy Richmond- Director
Gary Greer- Assistant Director
Roosevelt Bonds- Community Partner
Chiqua Peete- Community Partner
Oscar Love - Community Partner
PROJECT TIMELINE
Wednesday, Sept 30th, 2026 RFQ released
Wednesday, Oct 14th, 2026 UAC Information Session
Wednesday, Nov 4th , 2026 RFQ deadline
Friday, Nov 6th, 2026 Notify finalists of RFP invitation
Wednesday Dec 2nd, 2026 RFP deadline
Fall 2027 Completion celebration
INFORMATION SESSIONS
UAC will host an information session for interested artists on Wednesday, Oct 14th, 2026 at 5:30 pm. The session will be recorded and a link made available to applicants who are unable to attend during that time. Interested artists who have not completed a public art project previously or not completed a mural at this scale are strongly encouraged to reach out to the UAC team in advance of submitting their application. Artists may also schedule a meeting with UAC staff to review their application and portfolio. Appointments are available until 1 week prior to the close of the call to artists. See project contact information below.
FINALIST REQUIREMENTS
Each of the three finalists will be asked to prepare a schematic design or mockup, followed by a presentation to the selection committee. Each finalist will receive a $500 honorarium for an original design developed specifically for the site.
Fabrication Budget:
Payments to be broken down and disbursed when selected artist reaches provided milestones
Total project budget is $25,000, including artist honoraria - up to three finalists will receive a $500 honorarium for a site-specific proposal - and consulting fees. Design budget $5,875.00 ; Fabrication budget $17,625.00
GUIDELINES
Please submit the following materials online:
Completed application form
A typed letter explaining your interest in the project and your general approach/concept to its design and production. Please do not submit design proposals at this point.
Up to 20 images of past work including title of work, date, medium, budget and project partners, if any.
Résumé or CV, not to exceed 2 pages.
List of three professional references, including current phone and email.
For more information about this project, please contact:
Travis Washington| Program Manager
901.221.4077 | travis@uacmem.org
This RFQ can be found on www.uacmem.org/calls-to-artists
DISCLAIMERS
Applicants will be notified as to the status of their application. Commissioning of artists by UAC and the pursuit of all UAC activities are implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability or age.
UAC reserves the right to modify this solicitation and to request additional information from participating artists.
UAC reserves the right to accept or reject, at any time prior to the commissioning of a work, any or all proposals when the acceptance, rejection, waiver or advertisement would be in the best interest of the project.
The staff of UAC will be responsible for all correspondence and communication by and between applicants and members of selection panels. Discussion regarding these projects by and between any applicant and any member of a selection panel outside of regularly scheduled meetings during the selection process may be grounds for the disqualification of the applicant. Such determination shall be at the discretion of UAC.
