New Augusta Sculpture Trail issues national call for art
10 works to be exhibited for two years
Cross-river Augusta, Georgia is joining a national array of cities that bring new art into public spaces through the temporary lease of outdoor sculptures.
Local artists and artists from across the country are invited to submit images and physical specifications for their ready-to-install, original sculptures.
As the public art agency for the city of Augusta, the Greater Augusta Arts Council is seeking 10 leasable, pre-existing, outdoor sculptures to be installed for a duration of two years in Downtown Augusta as part of the new Augusta Sculpture Trail. These sculptures will be placed at intervals downtown that will create a fun and easy outdoor walking trail. The 10 selected locations use city of Augusta sidewalks for access, making them fully accessible for everyone to enjoy. The Arts Council will produce a digital walking tour that can be accessed from any mobile device which will help visitors learn specifics about each work of art and artist while they explore the Sculpture Trail. There will also be fun monthly Sculpture Trail events tied to the public artwork locations.
About the call for art
All sculpture sites will have a 4’x4’ concrete base and are spaced in a manner to promote walking from one sculpture to another, creating a trail to follow. Some basic requirements include that the work must be structurally sound and must be of a scale large enough to be clearly visible from a distance. It also must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions common to the Augusta River region. The work must be safe for public display and not include sharp or easily scalable parts.
Selected artists will receive a stipend of $3,000 for the 2-year lease of their work ($1,500 upon installation, $1,500 upon de-installation). One piece of art will be purchased at the end of the installation to add to the city’s permanent art collection.
The call for entries is open now through Oct. 8, 2020. Selected artists will be notified by Oct. 30 and installations will begin January 15-30, 2021. Artists may apply up to three (3) times with separate works. For questions regarding applications email pax@augustaarts.com. The application is online at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=8041.
The Augusta Sculpture Trail is part of a larger Public Art Master Plan for the City of Augusta. It is intended to create a walkable art trail designed for promotion to attract local and regional visitors to the Downtown Augusta area.
