Wild Art Outdoor Sculpture Showcase

April – September 2021

About the Exhibit

The North Carolina Arboretum is wild for art and nature in its 2021 summer exhibits. The Arboretum’s Wild Art outdoor sculpture showcase will complement the concurrent indoor exhibit A Life in the Wild, Thomas D. Mangelsen’s legacy collection of 40 wildlife photographs taken over a lifetime of observing Earth’s last great wild places.

All submitted works are encouraged to have the following criteria:

  • Be inspired by the animal kingdom – locally, regionally and worldwide
  • Be inclusive and immersive and appeal to diverse, multi-generational audiences
  • Highlight the wonders of the animal world through sight, sound and movement (Given the current challenges with COVID-19, we ask that artists submit works for which touch is not integral to its appeal and highly encourage designs that integrate kinetic components.)

Read Full Description Here

Mission Statement for Art at The North Carolina Arboretum
Art at The North Carolina Arboretum honors and preserves the unique cultural and natural heritage of the region. The collection and exhibits, inspired by the land, the people, and the creative process, bring art and craft into public spaces enriching and stimulating thought and imagination.

Stipend
Each artist will receive a stipend of $1,500 USD to apply toward their work. This stipend is to assist the artist with associated costs, including transport to the site. The Arboretum will bear the cost of installing pieces with prearranged equipment and site preparation per artist’s specifications on the ONLINE ENTRY FORM (see below).

View More Details Here

Awards
Awards will be given at $2,500, first place; $1,500, second place; $1,000, third place and one $500 honorable mention. A People’s Choice Award of $2,000 will be selected by popular vote of Arboretum members and guests at the close of the exhibit. A 40% commission on works sold during the show supports the Arboretum’s ongoing exhibits programming.

Project Timeline

  • Submission of Proposal – Due September 4, 2020
  • Selections finalized by Jury – September 25, 2020
  • Acceptance letters sent to artists – October 1, 2020
  • Exhibit on display – April 1 – September 30, 2021

View Full Timeline Here

Call to Artists | Application Deadline: September 4, 2020

Submission Materials
Artist may submit up to three entries. To be considered, please email the following list of items to wildart2021@ncarboretum.org AND submit the online application below (each piece will require separate online entry).

  1. Résumé to include artist statement, website and listing of exhibitions and awards.
  2. Image(s) representing piece (up to six per item; maximum size of 6 MB).
  3. Three images of promotional materials (invitations, posters, flyers, rack cards) that feature your work in previous shows (optional).
  • (If applicable)
  • (You may submit up to three pieces separately)
  • (H x W x D)
  • Describe how the piece connects to the show theme and how the piece with engage the Arboretum audience through the design (250 word limit).
  • (Concrete base size, boom truck, manpower, etc.)