project overview

NORTH MEMPHIS MOBILE PUPPET THEATER STAGE | Pearce St Pocket Park

Artist: Jaimie Monger

Budget: $15,500 (includes three finalist honoraria of $500 each)

Upcoming benchmark/update: Schematic Design

BACKGROUND

About North Memphis

North Memphis is home to Manassas High and the former Northside High school, which was the first integrated high school in Memphis.  Katie Sexton Community Center is a key communal landmark in the neighborhood. One nearby neighborhood, Klondike, is the first incorporated Black neighborhood in Memphis.

Some notable North Memphis residents include:  Katie Sexton, Issac Hayes, WH Brewster, Tom Lee, Blaire T. Hunt, Project Pat, Juicy J, Ben Whitley, Charlie Morris, Yo Gotti, Elvis Presley, and GloRilla.

About UAC:

The UrbanArt Commission (UAC) works to create opportunities for artists and neighborhoods to connect and shape spaces through public art. Since 2002, UAC has managed the City of Memphis’s Percent-For-Art Program, which allocates funds annually to develop public art in connection to capital improvement projects. UAC also facilitates public art projects throughout the city working with various partners and clients to support artists and new experiences with art.

Aerial view of the Pearce Street Pocket Park: 987 Pearce Street Memphis, TN

Proposed location of the puppet theater stage: 987 Pearce Street Memphis, TN

Proposed location of the puppet theater stage: 987 Pearce Street Memphis, TN

SCOPE OF WORK

UrbanArt Commission (UAC) and The City of Memphis is commissioning Jaimie Monger to create a mobile outdoor puppet theater stage. The preferred location for the puppet theater stage is a pocket park at 987 Pearce Street Memphis, TN. The stage ates an engaging performance space that enriches the community's cultural experiences and provides a unique venue for puppet shows and other outdoor entertainment activities.

The selection committee has expressed interest in an outdoor puppet theater stage that:

  • Creates artistic elements for the puppet theater’s stage backdrop, and side panels. This may include painted murals, carved wooden designs, or other mixed media installations.

  • Needs to be portable. This stage will travel to other parks throughout Memphis.

  • Align with themes of storytelling, community, cultural diversity, and the joy of performance.

  • Provide an opportunity for youth in the community to shadow selected artist or participate in the creation of this public art piece

  • Incorporate visual storytelling elements that reflect the local culture, history, and environment of Memphis.

  • Propose decorative pieces that may also serve functional purposes, such as shade structures, seating sculptures (for the puppeteers), or interactive features that engage children and families (stage edge sculptures)

  • Ensure all artwork is constructed from UV-resistant, waterproof, and durable materials that can withstand various weather conditions (e.g., heat, rain, wind).

  • Designed with safety in mind, ensuring no sharp edges or hazards.

  • Comply with the applicable requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which will be provided to selected finalists. The American Disabilities Consultants (City of Memphis ADA Consultant) will review the artist’s design submittals in an effort to ensure the ADA compliance of the built project. The American Disabilities Consultants will be available to answer any questions the selected artist may have about the ADA requirements for the project.

SELECTION COMMITTEE 

  • Aliza Moran- Director, Les Passees Kids on the Block 

  • Atlantis Warren- City of Memphis Parks Division, Community Engagement Manager

  • Ervin Dewalt- North Memphis Resident

  • Jamond Bullock- Visual Artist

  • Jordan Mckenzie- Memphis/Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Director of Community Building and Economic Opportunity 

  • Kenny Halt- Memphis/Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Senior Community Builder 

  • Mike Lemm-City Engineering Representative (non-voting)

  • Randall Garrett- Smokey City Klondike CDC

  • Stephanie Butler- North Memphis Resident

  • Veno Rossi- North Memphis Resident

About Artist:

Jaimie Monger

Coming soon…