Artists invited to shape Fishweir Crossing
Plans to beautify the Fishweir Crossing Roundabouts are moving forward as the Fishweir Crossing Roundabouts Planning Committee, in partnership with Riverside Avondale Preservation, has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to artists nationwide.
The committee is looking for qualified, experienced artists for a public sculpture project for the pair of roundabouts on SR211 at the intersection of Herschel Street and St. Johns Avenue – what is now being called Fishweir Crossing – and encompasses “the confluence of natural beauty of Fishweir Creek with the connecting neighborhoods, commercial district, the bridge and Fishweir Elementary School,” according to a June 1 press release issued by RAP.
“We are so excited to kick the project off with this call for artists and RFQ,” said Fishweir Crossing Roundabouts Committee Co-Chair Nancy Powell. “Everyone I tell about the project is thankful a group of neighbors and volunteers have convened to push the idea forward to beautify these roundabouts with art and landscaping, and additional improvements to the area.”
Resident News ran a Letter to the Editor in its February issue from area resident and Fishweir Crossing Roundabouts Planning Committee Member Stephanie Freeman about what she called the “desperate need of beautification” in the busy traffic corridor. This RFQ is the first step to addressing that need.
The planning committee is seeking qualified candidates for the full project, which will include the roundabout sculpture, landscaping within the roundabouts and adjacent rights-of-way, bridge aesthetics and lighting. An Artist Selection Panel will convene to select up to three qualified finalists, all of whom will receive a $2,500 stipend – “inclusive of travel and lodging” – to develop site-specific conceptual design proposals, which will be used for fundraising purposes and public presentation. The planning committee and selection panel will also host an informational session with the finalists.
“City, FDOT and community reviews will be critical to the success, and we are committed to ensuring all of the constituents are informed and have a chance to give input,” said Fishweir Crossing Roundabouts Planning Committee Co-Chair Nancy Powell.
An estimated budget of $150,000 to $200,000 is expected for the full project, and a fundraising committee has already been formed to launch a campaign later this fall, coinciding with the completion of early conception design, added Powell.
Application Details:
RFQ release date: June 1, 2026
Submission deadline: June 30, 2026
Finalists selected by: July 15, 2026
For additional information, application requirements, and RFQ materials, visit riversideavondale.org or contact [email protected].
