Oregon WinterFest Fire Pit & Sculpture Competition

The 21st OnPoint Community Credit Union Oregon WinterFest takes place February 14-16th and is the largest winter festival in the west. This marks the eighth year for the Fire Pit & Sculpture Competition, expanded this year to the Light, Ice & Fire Exposition with the addition of a Central Oregon Light Art exhibition.

The Fire Pit and Fire Sculpture Competition features both functional fire pits and imaginative fire sculptures using fire as a medium. Artists are invited to submit images of previous work for jury consideration. Accepted artists are eligible for a $5,000 purchase award with public placement, and cash prizes for 1st ($500), 2nd ($250), and 3rd ($150) place in both categories. Lay It Out Events offers 10 fellowships for artists traveling from outside Central Oregon, including 3 nights lodging, a $100 gas stipend, and food vouchers and cash to offset additional costs.

The competition is divided into two categories: Fire Pit (designed and constructed principally as a heat source and gathering point, typically wood fueled) and Fire Sculpture (a sculptural piece incorporating fire, any fuel source). Submissions must include a drawing of the proposed piece, 2-3 images of current work, and an artist bio. Proposed work can be fabricated in any non-flammable material and must be an original design, preferably constructed specifically for this event (existing work also considered). Submissions must include a non-flammable barrier to protect installation turf from scorching. All proceeds from competition-submitted works sold or commissioned onsite belong to the artist with no commission taken; a 25% commission applies for work sold within the L.I.E. Gallery. Entry fee is $25.00. Submissions require 3 images minimum/maximum.