The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (SAMFA) seeks submissions for the 6th Salmon Sculpture Competition, a juried exhibition of outdoor sculpture. Open to all media (but must be suitable for long-term outdoor exposure). Up to12 large scale works will be chosen for installation at the Sunken Garden Park (South Abe Street between the Concho River and Avenue D), City of San Angelo.

Exhibition Juror – Katie Robinson Edwards, Curator of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum

Katie Robinson Edwards, Ph.D., is Curator of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum in Austin, Texas. In addition to curating exhibitions and writing on Texas art, she has written on Chuck Close, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Jessica Stockholder, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth. She taught modern and contemporary art at the Allbritton Art Institute at Baylor University for eight years. Her book, Midcentury Modern Art in Texas, was published in June 2014 by the University of Texas Press. Edwards serves on the board of directors of CASETA, the Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art.

Eligibility and Media - Open to all artists 18 and older. Artwork must have been completed within the last 5 years. All media suitable for long-term outdoor installation, and appropriate to be viewed by audiences of all ages in a public space, will be considered. We are seeking large scale works, at least 4 feet tall (excluding the base). There is no weight limit. Artists must provide hardware and tools required for a safe and secure installation. Artwork submitted must be available for exhibition from October 18, 2019 through August 1, 2021.

Artwork will NOT be considered if: 1. The materials and construction will not withstand long-term display outdoors. 2. The sculpture is less than 4 feet high (excluding the base). 3. The content is inappropriate for children.

Entry Fee - A non-refundable entry fee of $25 per artist is required.

Cash Awards – First Prize: $2,000; 2nd Prize: $1,500; 3rd Prize: $1,000

Transportation – Artists are responsible for transporting and installing their artworks. A crane and forklift will be available to help with installing and de-installing artwork. Accepted artists are asked to schedule an installation time with SAMFA staff. Slabs or flat surfaces will be provided. A one-time payment of up to $1000, depending on distance, will be awarded each accepted artist to help defray transportation costs.

Location—San Angelo is in West Texas, 185 miles south of Lubbock, 260 miles west of Dallas, 240 miles northwest of San Antonio, and over 400 miles east of El Paso. It is not close to any state border. Please consider the distance before entering the competition.

Insurance – Artists are responsible for insurance when art is in transit. While installed in San Angelo, sculptures will be insured against property loss or damage through SAMFA (normal exclusions of inherent vice, vermin, acts of terrorism and war, and gradual deterioration and government confiscation apply).

Loan Agreement/Sales – Artists selected to participate will be required to sign a San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Loan Agreement. Artwork should be the property of the artist and preferably be available for sale during the exhibition. SAMFA will retain a 20% commission on all artwork sold during the show.

Image Requirements – Submit up to 3 sculptures, 3 digital images per artwork. One audio file and/or one video file may be submitted, as well. All images must be in jpeg format in high resolution (at least 300 dpi). Label the images clearly with title and “view #1, “view #2,” “detail,” etc.

Photography – Submitted photographs of artwork may be reproduced for educational and publicity purposes by SAMFA, and published on our website and social media. By entering the contest, each artist agrees to these terms of use. If the provided photo is taken by someone other than the artist, photo credit and copyright information must be included. Because of the public nature of the exhibit, we cannot control nor effectively prohibit photos taken by the general public.

Additional Programs – In conjunction with the exhibit several activities are planned. In addition to the Friday night Opening Gala at the Park, there will be a Sculpture Symposium at Angelo State University - A panel discussion concerning issues faced by contemporary sculptors will be conducted by the Museum Director, the Juror, and the exhibiting sculptor at the Angelo State University 193 Gallery. The Symposium is on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.

Social Activities – For accepted artists, the weekend will begin on Thursday night with a pre-opening party at the legendary Lowake Steak House, a West Texas landmark. The Friday evening Opening Gala will be open to public and free of charge, with music and refreshments. There may be additional social activities for accepted artists and a rate discount for accommodations, to be announced.

Important Dates:
September 10, 2019  Deadline to apply
September 21, 2019  Email notification
October 14-18, 2019  Delivery of Artwork
October 18, 2019  Exhibition Opening
October 18-2019  Sculpture Symposium
August 2-13, 2021  Pick-up Artwork

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria