The winner will see their design transform the city centre in the form of a major contemporary public artwork. And, if Eamon McAteer, the head of art and design at Thornhill College, has his way, the iconic 'teapot' which was once a feature of city-centre life, will make an artistic return 'home'. Initially over 60 entries were received for the public art competition.
For his design proposal to see the light of day, however, he will have to see off some very stiff opposition in the form of entry proposals from established big hitter Vong Phaophanit and Claire Obussier (London); Michael Sandle and Simon Stringer (London); Andrew Shoben and Greyworld (London and Paris); Dennis Oppenheim (New York) and Krzysztof Wodiczko (New York/Massachusetts).
A father of three, Eamon said he entered the competition because when he read the outline he thought it was 'appropriate' that someone from the city should submit a 'local' entry.
"At that point it was because of the competition that I reflected very deeply on the nature of Derry and what it meant to me. The outline proposal I put in was on the theme of the Golden teapot which I remembered from my younger days as being a feature in Derry at the time. It was a teapot hung from one of the local businesses - that was in the early 1960s.
"I realised that the idea was something that was appropriate to me as it symbolises friendliness of Derry, among other things," he said, adding: "I am delighted that someone from Ireland is selected.
"For me there are so many situations where the teapot is produced in good times and in bad times in all sections of the community," he said.
A graduate of The Slade School of Fine Art in London, Eamon is a native of the city, living on the same street where he was born - Beechwood Avenue - giving him a clear view of the city and the city walls.
"Derry for me is one of the most beautiful places and I can see the full line of the walls and it's a beautiful view. So the teapot and the city itself, really are my inspiration for my design proposal," he said.
For now though, Eamon and his fellow contenders will be spending the summer months researching the context of the project in a bid to further 'colour' their perception of what will best fulfil the criteria for the final artwork.