Creative Bike Rest Sculpture Project - Kane Area Chamber of Commerce (Due May 20th)
Creative Bike Rest Sculpture Project - Kane Area Chamber of Commerce
Deadline: May 20th, 2026
Request for Proposals - Seeking creative entrepreneurs to design creative and visually appealing sculptures that can also be used as bike racks against and install them beside six existing benches within a six-mile section near the Kane Trailhead of the Knox&Kane Rail Trail. These pieces will serve a dual purpose: offering a practical solution for cyclists without kickstands to have supports for their bikes to rest against while also creating engaging, photo-worthy works of art that enhance the character of the trail.
Budget
Budget total is $20,000. This includes artist fee, materials, production, and installation for 6 sculptures. Separate invoices for material to be paid to the artist. Payment schedule TBD.
Eligibility
Everyone is welcome to apply. Preference will be given to artists who reside in Pennsylvania and have experience with outdoor installations.
Overview:
Could you be the artist to help shape the next phase of the Knox & Kane Rail Trail experience? The Kane Area Chamber of Commerce seeks a public artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install a series of sculptural bike supports that are both functional and visually compelling. They will celebrate our connection to the outdoors and the arts here in Kane.
Six sculptures will be installed along a section near the Kane Trailhead next to existing benches. These works will serve a dual purpose: providing a practical solution for cyclists without kickstands while creating distinctive, photo-worthy art pieces that enhance the trail experience.
Artists are encouraged to bring a strong conceptual approach to themes such as woodland wildlife, regional heritage, forest folklore, biking culture, etc. Designs should reflect a clear sense of place within the Pennsylvania Wilds, Allegheny National Forest and the Kane community. This summer marks a major milestone for the trial. The segment connecting Kane to Kinzua Bridge
State Park will be complete, allowing users to travel the 16 miles between these destinations on the trail alone. At the park, visitors can experience the Kinzua Skywalk, along with short hiking trails, a museum, and a gift shop. All of this together strengthens this corridor as a regional destination. This project builds on a growing body of public art along the Kane section of the Knox&Kane Trail, including a reclaimed bicycle-part fish sculpture at the trailhead and four artist-designed wayfinding signs that connect the trail to the business district of Kane. A competitive RFP process will be used, with final designs selected by a local committee to ensure community relevance and impact.
Looking ahead, this work will be complemented by a large-scale installation by internationally recognized artist Thomas Dambo. A troll sculpture constructed from reclaimed wood is planned for installation approximately two miles from the Kane Trailhead in fall 2027. Together, these efforts position Kane as a destination where high-quality public art and outdoor recreation intersect.