Steel Sculpture Design Competition

Living Design Studios, an award-winning metal fabrication studio celebrating 30 years, is hosting a sculpture design competition. The challenge is to design a steel sculpture based on the theme "Elevating 30" within specified design parameters. The winning design will be fabricated by Living Design Studios and unveiled at a celebration event on September 6, 2024, at the studio in Erie, Colorado. The prize is $1,800 and fabrication of the sculpture. The winning sculpture will be auctioned off as a fundraiser for Groundworks Art Lab's Capital Expansion Campaign.

Design parameters include: steel materials only (⅛" and ¼" hot rolled steel sheet, and hot rolled and cold rolled steel stock in standard sizes); maximum 30 parts for assembly; available fabrication processes are welding, waterjet cutting, freehand plasma cutting, bending/forming with oxy-acetylene torch, and drilling/bolting (machine rolling, press brake, and forging/smithing are not available); finishes include raw steel/rust, paint, or powder coating in stock Cardinal colors; sculpture dimensions of 3' W x 3' D x 10' H mounted on a 3' x 3' concrete pad; and preferred weight under 500 lbs. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of local arts professionals, architects, and metal fabricators based on how well the design addresses the "Elevating 30" theme, utilizes metal and techniques to elevate natural metal qualities, and will hold up over time. The winner will work with the project team to finalize the design before fabrication begins. All applications must include images of the design with at least one to-scale image labeled with dimensions and materials. Optional submissions include a PDF with scaled images, portfolio, and resume. Entry fee is $20. Everyone is welcome to apply.