HomeNewsEntries Sought for 14th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition

Entries Sought for 14th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition

Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the fourteenth annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, which opens in conjunction with the 2019 North Charleston Arts Fest. Up to 14 sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $19,750. A $1250 honorarium is given to all artists accepted into the show to assist with transportation, installation, de-installation, and incidental expenses. Once all pieces are installed, the juror will award Best in Show ($1000), Outstanding Merit ($500), and up to three Honorable Mentions ($250 each).  The application is only available online and may be accessed via the link at NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply. An application fee of $35 allows artists to submit up to four entries. Deadline for submissions is Monday, February 25, 2019. Artists in need of assistance with any part of the application process may contact the Cultural Arts Department to schedule a one-on-one meeting, which can be conducted over the phone or in person.

Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this 11 month exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their thought provoking, extraordinary sculptures throughout the picturesque North Charleston Riverfront Park. Set on the banks of the Cooper River, Riverfront Park features ten acres of walking paths, a boardwalk and fountain, an expansive lawn with performance pavilion, children’s play areas, and picnic sites. An estimated 50,000 people visit this public park annually to enjoy the amenities located in the heart of the city’s arts community.

The juror for this year’s exhibition is Katelyn Kirnie. Kirnie has served as the Director of Public Art Chattanooga since 2016. She moved back to her hometown of Chattanooga, TN, after living and working in Portland, OR, and Boston, MA — where she managed the public art program for the Rose Kennedy Greenway.  Katelyn was introduced to the public art world early in her career as Exhibition Manager for renowned sculptor, John Henry.  She went on to establish an award winning and highly anticipated rotating mural program, dubbed The Greenway Wall, in Boston, MA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and has an extensive background in fabrication project management and exhibition production for the public realm. Katelyn is inspired by the way art and artists enhance the urban environment – adding meaning, building community, and creating connection.

The 14th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition will be on display May 1, 2019, through March 22, 2020, at North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston. A free public reception and announcement of awards will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, from 6:00-8:00pm.  For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest, the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843) 740-5854, email [email protected], or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.