Applications open for 15th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition
Application deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020
North Charleston Arts Fest 2018, by Zan Maddox/Social Design House
Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the 15th annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, which opens in conjunction with the 2020 North Charleston Arts Fest.
The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.
Up to 14 sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $19,750.
A $1,250 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 strictly 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 Tuesday, February 25, 2020. 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 10 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.
Meet the Juror
The juror for the 2020/21 exhibition is Daniel T. Beck. Beck was first exposed to public sculpture as a child through his family’s business, Tatti Conservation. He has worked with his family since 1990 on conservation projects such as the collection at Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, New York. In 2018, Daniel was a juror for the Rosen Outdoor Sculpture competition in Boone, North Carolina. Daniel is currently the Iron Studio Coordinator at the Penland School of Craft near Asheville, where he has worked since 2011, facilitating blacksmithing, fabrication, foundry, and sculpture workshops. He maintains a studio practice at his shop in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and is about to start his third year teaching incarcerated artists through the AMCI/Penland Prison Arts Partnership.
About the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition
The 15th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition will be on display April 29, 2020 through March 21, 202, at North Charleston Riverfront Park (1001 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston). A free public reception and announcement of awards will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. 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 culturalarts@northcharleston.org, or visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com.