The Clear Lake Arts Center invites you to apply to participate in the annual exhibition in the Sukup Lakeside Courtyard and Central Gardens of North Iowa. The Courtyard will place eight sculptural art pieces, and the Garden will host one, for temporary display between May 18th and October 19, 2024 the before. Sculptures will be installed within two weeks prior to the exhibition and uninstalled within two weeks after the exhibition.

Clear Lake, Iowa

Known as one of the region’s most-visited communities offering special attractions and activities year-round, the city of Clear Lake and the surrounding area experience increased visitation, especially during the summer months to tens of thousands. Clear Lake Arts Center’s Sukup Lakeside Courtyard and Sculpture Garden is designed for visitors to enjoy a dedicated space displaying a rotating exhibition of sculptures.

Call for Entries from Regional Sculptors

Application is open to professional, student, and amateur sculptors of all backgrounds over the age of 18 residing or working in Iowa or the surrounding states. Each of the eight selected artists will retain ownership of their work and agree to loan it to the exhibition for the time specified. Selected artists will receive an $800 stipend for the loan of their artwork payable after installation is completed and inspected by the Clear Lake Art Center staff to assess stability. Pieces can be sold at any time during the exhibition but must remain in place for the duration. Thirty percent commission of any piece sold will go to the Clear Lake Arts Center to support next year’s exhibition. 

Selection Panel

The sculptures for this 2024 exhibit will be chosen by a volunteer panel of local art enthusiasts who support the mission of the Arts Center. Entries will be critiqued on artistic merit, creativity, innovation, technical skill, and imagination. All submissions must be of sound construction, able to remain in excellent condition during times of adverse weather, offering durability in an outdoor environment. Entries are selected from photographs and the description provided.

Application Requirements

Entries

If you are interested in having your work considered, you may submit up to two entries/applications with three to five images each. All work must be the original work of the artists in concept, composition, and execution. Artists must expect that sculpture may be climbed or marked on during the exhibition. 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

Applications are open to professional, student, and amateur sculptors of all backgrounds and over the age of 18 residing or working in Iowa or the surrounding states. Sculptures must not present a safety risk to the public, should be able to withstand exposure to the elements and unsupervised interaction, and be maintenance-free for the duration of the exhibition. Artworks cannot exceed a sales value of $25,000.