Sculpt Siouxland is a yearlong exhibit displaying sculpture from local and national artists. This exhibit is free to the public and displayed on downtown streets of Sioux City, Iowa. Sculptures are on loan from the artist for one year. At least one piece of art will be purchased by Sioux City Growth Organization (SCGO) in order to form a permanent display for downtown Sioux City. The exhibit will close with a live auction of the other artists’ work at the annual SCGO Sculpt Siouxland Celebration.
History
Sculpt Siouxland is similar to a program originated in Grand Junction, CO and adapted in many other cities. Grand Junction’s Art on the Corner was founded by a local sculptor in 1984. This project embraces the arts, develops community pride, and draws people to the downtown shopping park. Annually, over 300,000 visitors view the dynamic public exhibit in Grand Junction.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) undertook the management of the exhibit in 1989 and established a committee comprised of representatives from the DDA, Downtown Association, Colorado Center for the Arts, area businesses and interested individuals. The committee is responsible for developing, promoting and maintaining the quality of the exhibit while increasing the number of sculptures.
Sculpt Siouxland
It is the idea of the Sioux City Growth Organization (SCGO) to draw foot traffic to the destinations in downtown Sioux City, educate and promote interactive art to our youth, and allow artists the opportunity to share their work. A committee of members from SCGO and other interested citizens will oversee this community development project.
Call for Entries
Each year, a call for entries is sent throughout the Midwest. The exhibit is open to professionals and emerging artists of all backgrounds. Each artist may enter up to two works. Selection of artwork is based on the quality of the piece, durability and suitability for outdoors, safety for the public and certification that works are original and available for purchase.
Each sculpture will be subject to physical inspection upon arrival. SCGO retains the right for final approval of a sculpture once it arrives, and is not liable for the artist’s expenses if the piece is not suitable. SCGO also has the right to remove a sculpture if it becomes aware of unsuitability after the piece is in place.
Installation
Installation takes place in the second week of May each year. At this time, the artists are responsible for delivering their work to the designated location and securely attaching the sculptures to a metal mounting base provided by the committee. Pedestals and sidewalk bases will be installed two weeks prior to the arrival of the sculptures. Sculptures exceeding six feet will be bolted directly to the sidewalk with the help of the committee. If under six feet, the committee will assist in securely welding the mounting plate to a pedestal or bolting the sidewalk bases to the sidewalk.
A brunch will be provided for the artists to kick off the yearlong exhibit. SCGO will provide one night lodging for artists residing outside a 100-mile radius of Sioux City.
De-installation will take place in March/April of each year, which will be the responsibility of the purchasing party. At this time, the artists are responsible for removing their sculptures if they haven’t been purchased at the Sculpt Siouxland Celebration or by SCGO.
Insurance
Each artist is required to maintain insurance coverage
for his/her own work. The City of Sioux City will cover
liability insurance on the sculptures, but individuals must
insure their own piece(s) against vandalism and damage.
If a sculpture breaks during the exhibition period due to a
flaw in design or suitability for outdoor display, the
artist is required to repair the work at no cost to Sculpt
Siouxland.
Marketing
In order to attract citizens and visitors of Siouxland, a colorful brochure promoting the exhibit will be produced. The brochure will be free to the public and will be available through Downtown Partners, Sioux City Art Center, and participating downtown businesses.
Sculpt Siouxland will be an opportunity for the artists to promote their talents. The artist’s name and hometown will be on the nameplate attached to the pedestal the sculpture sits on. In addition, the artist information will be on the web site, brochure, and maps.
Public Involvement
The public is encouraged to experience each sculpture through individual viewing, hands-on interaction and guided tours. SCGO members will conduct tours on special dates throughout the year and as requests are made.
The public will also have the opportunity to vote on the
winners of the People’s Choice and Children's Choice Awards.
Both award recipients will be automatically chosen for
the next year's exhibit with an approved original piece.
Also, the People's Choice award winning sculpture will be
purchased by SCGO to remain on permanent display in downtown
Sioux City. In addition, the artist whose sculpture is
chosen for the People's Choice award will have the
opportunity to sell another original piece at the public
auction.
Buy a Piece Program
The purpose of the Buy a Piece Program is to add a permanent display to downtown Sioux City. SCGO intends to purchase the People’s Choice Award while the remaining sculptures will be auctioned off at the annual SCGO Sculpt Siouxland Celebration. Each year the funds from the sales of the sculptures will finance the purchase of a piece for addition to the permanent collection.
Sculpt Siouxland Celebration
At the end of the exhibit, there will be a public auction to sell all the sculptures with the exception of the People’s Choice Award winner, which will be purchased by SCGO for the permanent display downtown. SCGO will receive a 25% commission upon the sale of the sculptures to fund operating expenses and future generations of the project. Seventy percent of the commission will be allocated to the “Buy a Piece” program, and 30% to the operating fund.
The artists are invited to join the public at the annual SCGO Sculpt Siouxland Celebration.
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