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Downtown Outdoor Sculpture

25th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition


About the Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition: The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission’s Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition has a proud tradition. The exhibition was founded by Jim Patti and is sponsored by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, which receives financial and staff support from the City of Lawrence. The exhibition also receives additional support from the Lawrence Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and the Lawrence Arts Center. Works are displayed in downtown Lawrence, along Massachusetts Street and adjacent areas. Massachusetts Street was named in 2010 as a “Top 10 Great Street” in America by the American Planning Association.


Awards: Artists will receive a $1200 honorarium for each work selected.


Juror: Porter Arneill, Director/Public Art Administrator, City of Kansas City, Missouri

Porter Arneill holds a Bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Colorado and a Master's degree in fine art from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. After graduate school, he created and exhibited his own work while assisting artists with public art projects in the US, Europe and China. He has served as the Director of Education and adjunct curator at Laumeier Sculpture Park and Museum and as the Director of Public Art and Education for the Regional Arts Commission, both in St. Louis. Since 2002, he has served as the Director and Public Art Administrator for the Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Art Commission. Porter sits on several local arts-related boards and served as an elected member and co-vice chair of the Americans for the Arts/Public Art Network Council from 2005-2010.

Additionally, Porter oversees the annual Avenue of the Arts partnership program exhibition which helps emerging artists gain experience and skills in public art practice. He also developed and volunteers his time to present Public Art Nuts and Bolts, an educational program for the benefit of regional artists.


Criteria and Specifications for Selection: In order to showcase local sculptors in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition, eligibility is limited to artists who reside within the City of Lawrence and a surrounding 15 mile radius.

Works that expand the idea of what public sculpture can be are encouraged. All work entered must be free-standing and suitable for long-term outdoor public display. The durability of the work will be a consideration for selection, as will the public safety of the work. The artwork must also be of sufficient size to avoid theft. Since the show is in a high-traffic area in downtown Lawrence, the safety of the public, including children, must be taken into consideration. Work must be as vandal-proof as possible and cannot have sharp edges or easily breakable or bendable. Several sites are available for ground-mounted works. All accepted entries must be capable of being properly secured to a site.


Eligibility: In order to showcase local sculptors in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition, eligibility is limited to artists who reside within the City of Lawrence and a surrounding 15 mile radius. Artists must also be 18 years of age or older. All entries must be original work and may not have been shown previously in this exhibition.


Entry/Procedure: Artists may enter up to three (3) works for consideration. Please submit photographs of each work. Entrants should also submit a biographical paragraph and brief statement about each work entered. Artists should also describe how the work will be properly secured. Please enter by completing the digital entry form.


Delivery and Return of Artwork: Artists will be solely responsible for the delivery of artwork and return shipping arrangements; artists will also be responsible for all shipping charges. Accepted work must be received by appointment the week of April 15, but no later than Friday, April 19, 2013, unless prior arrangements have been made. Artists will be required to reclaim their work by Friday, April 11, 2014.


Other Responsibilities: Selected artists must sign a loan agreement in which they agree to: 1) permit the City of Lawrence to install the artwork; 2) promise that the artwork will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition and 3) recognize that, in the interest of public safety and community priority, the City has the right to remove damaged sculpture unless promptly and satisfactorily repaired by the artist. Work will be insured against property loss up to a maximum of $5,000.


Timeline:

  • 4 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2013: Entries must be received
  • Mid-March, 2012: Notice of juror’s selections sent to artists
  • Week of Friday, April 19, 2013 by appointment: Deliver sculptures
  • 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday June 15, 2013 Exhibition opening tour and reception
  • Friday April 11, 2014: Exhibition closes

Additional Information/Questions: Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager and liaison to the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, (785) 832-3413 or email Diane.