Pelham Art Center Seeks Sculpture Submissions for Vacant Courtyard

Because every available inch of the should be teeming with talent, a gallery committee is seeking sculpture submissions to bring color to the building’s vacant courtyard.

"We have all this unused courtyard area, only used for classes, or vacation workshops, and we thought it would be a good idea to bring in a sculpture to draw people in," remarked Christine Milo, Manager of the Pelham Art Center.

The courtyard has remained void of artwork since “Shade Umbrellas,” by Shelia Berkeley, decorated the outdoor space back in 2004. To identify the next big thing to take residence in the space, the center is hosting a sculpture contest, open to the public. A Gallery Advisory Committee, made up of 13 artists, professors and curators, will judge the submissions  (due July 15) and will consider each piece's creativity, interactivity, structural integrity, and sustainability.

“We don’t really get to showcase that many sculptures as most of our exhibits are flatworks,” said Milo. “This will be a good opportunity to present a different medium of art.”

In terms of creativity, the judges are looking for a sculpture that is aesthetically pleasing, and also visually engaging. The piece should entice guests to explore the work with all their senses. Stylistically, the judges are open to any type of art, from any type of artist. But, because the sculpture will be left outside—unattended and unprotected from the varying and harsh New York weather—structural integrity became a prerequisite for consideration. Given the transitory nature of this sculpture, the judges also encourage a piece that uses reusable materials, hence the need for sustainability.

Though the contest is open to anyone anywhere, Milo expects the winner to come from the tri-state area, as the onus of transportation will fall on the selected artist.

“I expect some healthy argument over which piece to choose,” Milo said with regard with the selection process.

The chosen artist will not receive monetary compensation, though the prestige and publicity should suffice to draw in an impressive pool of applicants. 

The sculpture will be unveiled on Sept. 16 with a celebratory reception, coinciding with a new season and new exhibits. The sculpture, only a temporary installation, will stay in the courtyard until June 2012.