The Town of Carbondale, CO Public Art Commission is seeking 15 outdoor street sculptures for the annual rotating "Art Around Town" show. Each artist is allowed the opportunity to display up to four original sculptures with a $1,000 honorarium per sculpture awarded, upon selection by the Selection Committee. A $250 travel allowance for out-of-town artists will also be awarded.

This highly recognized and esteemed show is located in downtown Carbondale on Main St. and the Rio Grande Trail. Carbondale is located 30 miles from Aspen and draws in a diverse local and international community for art appreciation, as well as being included in a Creative Arts District. The Public Art Commission assists in the marketing and sales of the sculptures to enhance the possibility of an artist commission. An Artist Reception and Community Art Walk takes place on June 5, 2025, and offers every artist an opportunity to market and speak about their sculpture.

Marble bases and sculpture installation:  All sculptures will be placed on random sized blocks of Colorado Yule Marble. Each piece of marble has a custom steel plate adhered to the top of the marble. Sculptures will be tack welded to the steel plate on top of the marble, so it is imperative that every sculpture arrive for installation with a steel plate attached to the bottom of the sculpture. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for installation. 

A Public Works installation crew will assist the artist with welding, lifting, equipment (loader), labor and placement of the sculpture. Artist must be present for installation and deinstallation of the sculpture. The Town of Carbondale is not able to receive sculpture shipments on behalf of an artist, and each artist must attend the installation/deinstallation of the sculpture.

All applicants are expected to consider durability of materials and weather-proofing issues while on display in Carbondale, which fluctuate from intense cold and snow, to heat. Materials of the sculpture should be fabricated of highly durable, low maintenance materials. The sculptures will be located in high pedestrian/biking areas so consideration must be made for height, shape and sharp objects protruding. The Town of Carbondale has a strict outdoor lighting code so sculptures will not be allowed to be illuminated. The sculptures will be on display for one year. 

The Public Art Commission and invited jurists will be the selection committee for the show. Selected artists will receive a $1,000 honorarium per accepted sculpture (up to 4 sculptures per artist) at the installation of the sculpture in May 2025.

Tentative Timeline: 
CAFÉ public release – November 15, 2024
CAFÉ deadline to submit entry February 11, 2025
Notification to selected artists March 5, 2025
Contract due March 19, 2025
Install dates May 22 – June 4, 2025
Artists Reception & Art Walk June 5, 2025
Removal dates May 1 – May 15, 2026

Application Requirements

Materials to be Submitted:
All application materials must be submitted online, via the CAFÉ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CAFÉ online application system. Artists are able to submit one artwork per application - multiple views of the piece, NOT multiple pieces in one application. Artists can be accepted up to four (4) sculptures at a $1,000 honorarium per sculpture. A $250 travel allowance will also be paid for out-of-town artists for delivery costs.

Installation Information/Requirements: (Detailed information Required)
• Height of sculpture
• Width at narrowest point of base
• Weight of sculpture
• Dimensions of the base of the sculpture from point to point (include photo of the base with steel plate for installation)
• Describe in detail the distance of each point of contact the sculpture will make with the base
• Provide a sketch of the base shape/dimension of the base of the sculpture.

Digital images: To be considered for the show, the applicant must electronically submit up to ten (10) digital images of a completed work for consideration through the CAFÉ online system. The images must show all angles of the sculpture, and the base of the sculpture, with steel plate at the base of the sculpture. The photos should be of the submitted sculpture only - not a representation of the portfolio.  Please do not submit photos of any body of work that is not being submitted for the show. Submitted entries must be of completed work or a maquette with exact representation.

A brief artist statement of the sculpture can be submitted.

Please direct all questions about this project to Laurie Lindberg, Town Liaison, Town of Carbondale Public Art Commission llindberg@carbondaleco.net   970/510-1325   Visit the Town of Carbondale, Co website (carbondalegov.org) and the "Town of Carbondale, CO Public Art Commission" Facebook page for updates.
 

Eligibility Criteria

All sculpture artists may apply who have met the requirements of CAFE.