City to pay $75,000 for park sculpture

The city of Sarasota is looking for artists to create a sculpture for the Newtown park named after Commissioner Fredd Atkins, and it will pay up to $75,000 for the work.

Fredd “Glossie” Atkins Park, at the corner of U.S. 301 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, underwent a $1.1 million renovation in 2006.

The city is issuing a national call to artists for a “significant sculpture” to be placed in the park. Three finalists will be selected by the end of October, and they will make presentations to a selection committee no later than Dec. 15.

The artist selected to create the sculpture will then have four months to complete and install the artwork.

The $75,000 includes delivery, installation and a two-year warranty.