Nature-based Outdoor Sculpture at Western Carolina University

This project supports connections between the next generation of artists and adventurers with America's national parks. Two artist-led teams of students and community members will create closed-loop life cycle sculptures inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the 6.7 miles of hiking trails at Western Carolina University. Juror and artistic advisor Patrick Dougherty, known for large-scale environmental sculptures, will guide regional arts professionals in selecting four artists to create new works. Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers and educators will guide artist-led student groups through the National Park at different times of the year to learn about flora and fauna and gain inspiration for new work. An exhibition featuring historic photos of the park and sketches or maquettes of selected sculptures will be on display at the WCU Fine Art Museum throughout 2016.

Eligibility is open to artists currently residing in the US and 18 years of age or older. Selected works will be created onsite during April and October 2016. Entries must be self-supporting, capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions (high winds, below zero temperatures, heavy rain, snow, ice, storms), able to withstand high-traffic environments, consider audience safety, and serve as a closed-loop lifecycle. Artists will have the opportunity to interact with students and community members and discuss their experience during the installation process. Artists unable to meet scheduled installation dates and requirements are not eligible.

Each selected artist will receive a $10,000 honorarium, lodging, travel expenses, meals during visits to WCU, installation supplies including scaffolding and ladders, a full-time assistant during installation, high resolution photographs of the finished installation, a ranger-led tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and press coverage. Work samples should include 1-20 images (minimum 1920 pixels in height or width, .jpg format, 72 DPI), up to 5 audio files, and up to 5 video files. Applicants must submit a current professional resume, one-paragraph artist statement, and a statement addressing interest in the project, previous experience with students and installation teams, plans to incorporate sustainability concepts, and what aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park inspire them. Deadline for submission: August 15, 2015. Notification of acceptance/decline: January 15, 2016.