Wasena Bridge Neighborhood Sculpture

The City of Roanoke is seeking an artist or artist team to exhibit sculpture at a new plaza adjacent to the Wasena Bridge running from the opening of the new bridge in Summer 2026 through April 2029. The City is accepting submissions through Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern for freestanding sculpture that complements and celebrates the investment in the new Wasena Bridge and related traffic improvements. This invitation is extended to all artists 18 and older or supervised student groups under an applicant instructor or institutional program. Both proposed work and already completed pieces will be considered. Roanoke-based artists, regional artists and teams with connections to Roanoke, especially to the Old Southwest and Wasena neighborhoods adjacent to the site are strongly encouraged to apply, as are women and artists of color.

The sculpture will be installed on a 6' by 6' pad with 18" depth that can hold up to 1,500 lbs. Work cannot be over 15' tall or 6' wide and must be designed to withstand an outdoor, high traffic, unmonitored environment for the three-year duration. The work must be maintenance free or require little maintenance, complementary to the adjacent historic neighborhood, original, suitable for family viewing, and constructed so that it can be securely anchored. Materials should reflect the spirit of a welcoming community, the strength of the city's people and neighborhoods, and the strong relationships of the community with its natural, historic, cultural, built, and social assets.

Artists chosen to participate will receive a stipend of up to $7,000 for the three-year lease. There is no entry fee. Each artist may submit up to three proposed sculptures or concepts. Installation must occur between May 1 and June 30, 2026, and the work is to be picked up in April 2029 unless the City and Artist extend the lease or negotiate a purchase in advance. Costs associated with transportation, travel, insurance, installation, and removal are the responsibility of the artist.