Duluth-Superior Artists Asked To Submit Pieces For Essentia’s Vision Northland Project

As Northlanders watch the progress on the new $900 million Vision Northland project take shape along the downtown Duluth skyline, officials with Essentia Health are turning their attention to what the space will look like inside. And if you're an artist - this is an opportunity to get your work seen by a lot of people.

Essentia Health and the developers of the Vision Northland project have partnered with Integrated Art Group to "develop an engaging art collection that includes local and regional artists while reflecting Essenia's values".  As such, they're looking for submissions from local artists to showcase their talents.

As would be fitting for a complex as large as the Vision Northland project is, the groups have two specific "asks" of area artists - inside and outside.

Here are the details about the inside works of art:

"Initial art submissions should be wall-mountable and reflect the artist's style and medium; they do not have to be currently available works.  If selected, artists will be given a timeline to complete new works.  Some art may be site-specific commissions.  Artwork should be appropriate for public health care settings.  All art will be purchased unframed."

The details provided by Essentia Health are also specific about the following requirements:

• Artists must reside or have ties to Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, or North Dakota.
• Photographic images are not being solicited for this project; photographers should look for details that are specifically requesting photographs.

Preliminary submissions are due by October 1, 2021.  If selected, artists will be contacted by the developers by February 1, 2022.

To submit your works of art, click here to start the online application process. All inquiries or additional questions can be directed to Augusta Brulla at 608-709-1453, or by email at abrulla@integratedartllc.com.  To see samples of art from past projects, click here.

Additionally, the Vision Northland project is looking for proposals from local artists for a "focal-point sculpture that will reside in the center of the circular drive just outside the new facility's main entrance".  Here are the specific requirements for that work of art:

• Submissions should be for a sculpture piece that would be "highly visible".
• Design and materials "should invoke Lake Superior while welcoming visitors to the new hospital".
• The sculpture piece should "be lit from the outside or emit light itself".

Preliminary concept sketches and renderings, proposed materials, scale, budget, and written description are due by October 1, 2021.  As part of the process, up to three artists will be selected to develop their submitted idea into a "more concrete vision.  A $1,000 stipend will be awarded for design work.

When completed, the Vision Northland project will open sometime in the third quarter of 2023.  The 942,000 square foot project will reset Essentia Health for the future with a complex that includes new hospital space, medical facilities, and more.