Park City Municipal Corporation call for sculpture artists

The historic Daly West Headframe on Friday morning. Photo: TownLift // Parker Malatesta

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is seeking qualified individuals or firms to submit proposals for creating captivating sculptural artwork utilizing the remnants of the Daly-West Headframe.

The proposed artwork will be prominently displayed just east of Bonanza Drive on the Rail Trail. This exciting opportunity invites innovative ideas to transform historic remnants into visually stunning art pieces, enriching the community’s cultural landscape.

The Daly-West Mine, a historic landmark near the exquisite Montage Deer Valley and Empire Canyon Lodge, traces its roots back to the 1880s. Unfortunately, a devastating fire in 1913 reduced the mining building and its wooden headframe to ashes. However, a phoenix rose from the ashes, and in 1914, a new building emerged, boasting a grand steel headframe. This marvelous structure facilitated the smooth operation of two elevator platforms, effortlessly gliding up and down the mine shaft. Fast forward to Easter in 1974, tragedy struck again as the surrounding building succumbed to flames, leaving behind the lone steel headframe as a cherished relic of the past.

The City is searching for a talented artist to bring to life a captivating large-scale sculpture that pays homage to Park City’s prosperous mining era, using the remnants of the iconic Daly-West Headframe. The chosen artist will be able to work with approximately 25 linear feet of steel from the headframe, which the City will provide. Additionally, the artist will be responsible for transporting the steel to execute and deliver the project. Once the project is completed, PCMC requests that the artist return any remaining steel. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity while preserving the historical significance of Park City’s mining heritage.

PROPOSALS DUE: By Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 5 p.m. Submit proposals electronically to Jenny Diersen, Staff Liaison to Public Art Advisory Board, via email to jenny.diersen@parkcity.org. The proposals will be opened after the submission deadline.

PROJECT DEADLINE: Monday, October 30, 2023