It’s almost time for the Augusta Sculpture Trail to transition to a new collection of art works for another two years. Last week, the Greater Augusta Arts Council (GAAC) launched its open call to artists to offer their works for the next iteration of the exhibit.
The original trail was launched in January 2021, after the GAAC called for artists to submit their works in fall of 2020. The council’s advisory panel selected 10 pieces for display throughout downtown.
The sculpture trail is part of the GAAC’s Public Art Master Plan, developed to increase and encourage installations of public art.
The council is now seeking 10 new, original, pre-existing art works and media pieces for the trail. Artists from throughout the region are eligible to apply. Panelists will then choose finalists, who will be offered an opportunity to address the panel and discuss their respective works.
Although the open call notes a preference for professional sculptors, they aren’t the only creatives who may apply, explained GAAC public art and development manager Denise Tucker.
“Perhaps you’re a visual artist, and you have a vision, and you know how to put together a sculpture in terms of your vision,” Tucker said. “You work with the metal company that does the fabrication, you can also submit.”
Selected artists will receive a stipend totaling $3,000 for the license to display their sculptures publicly for two years, the first half awarded when the installation goes up in the beginning of 2025, the second half when it goes down in December 2026.
The open call closes in October to make time for a late fall selection process. The current sculpture trail is to be de-installed in December, in time for the new iteration of the exhibit to be installed in January. For more information, visit https://augustaarts.com/calls-for-artists/augusta-sculpture-trail-open-call/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
