2022 Call for Art

2022 Theme: The River

The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is excited to announce the inaugural year of the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk. The Sculpture Walk will exhibit public sculptures to enhance use of green space in Watertown, encourage public interaction with contemporary art, and create an annual exhibition opportunity for local artists at all career stages working in a variety of mediums. 

The Sculpture Walk follows the Community Path from the Watertown Free Public Library Parking lot to Waverly Avenue. There are eight planned sites along the path for sculptures. The Community Path will eventually extend from Arsenal St to Howard St. and additional sites may be added as the path is built. In 2023, four sculptures will be selected, with four more selected in 2024, to fill all eight sites along the walk. Sculptures will be on loan from selected artists for two years.

The Watertown PACC is excited to partner with The New England Sculptors Association (NESA) on this project. NESA is a nonprofit arts organization established in 1948, that “supports established and emerging sculptors in achieving their highest potential and in connecting with fellow artists, curators and collectors. Together with our partners, we promote excellence in sculptural art and seek to inform, educate, and inspire the public throughout New England and beyond.”

Currently, NESA has over 140 juried members across New England who, “in addition to creating, showing, and selling sculpture, […] are available to consult on all questions regarding sculpture, its acquisition and care, writing commission proposals, restoration, foundry services, and public sculpture design.” 

About the 2022 Theme: The River

The Charles River is a natural resource that connects the past, present, and future of Watertown. Artists are invited to submit sculptures that explore “the river” as a symbol of human history, nature, industry, or other interpretations by the artist.

For example, sculpture that explores the river as it relates to human history could expand on topics of human migration, human settlement, and human impact. Following the theme of the river as a thread throughout history could also explore the history of Watertown, from the beginning of human history to the present day. The river as a symbol of nature could include local geology, ecology, past or present flora and fauna, and much more. The river as a symbol of industry can explore the industry specific to the Charles River, industrial techniques used on rivers, or other interpretations by the artist.

Description

Selected artists will be awarded $2,000 for the two-year loan of their sculpture. Artists are responsible for transporting their work to and from the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk. Artwork will be insured by the City of Watertown for the duration of the loan. Artists are encouraged to have their own General Liability Insurance or must sign a waiver for the installation and deinstallation of their artwork. The City will work with the selected artists to provide assistance for installation and de-installation.

Sculptures must be suitable for long-term, outdoor exposure and fabricated and installed in a viewer-safe manner. Sculptures should also be installed in a way that is sensitive to the natural environment. Sculptures that need significant maintenance during the exhibition or that differ significantly from submitted images may be excluded.

The City will maintain the sculpture sites. The artist is responsible for maintaining their sculpture, in the event that maintenance is required. In the event that the sculpture is so damaged that it cannot remain in the Sculpture Walk, the artist will be responsible for removing the sculpture.

Sculptures should not exceed ten feet in height. If the sculpture requires a pad, its footprint should not exceed 4x4 feet. If the footprint is larger, the sculpture will be placed on the ground. Artwork should not be intended to be climbed upon or require much physical interaction. Not sure if your sculpture meets these requirements? Email Liz at ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov.

Site photos: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16YOQuq61mzcTuoQsJDDrvt9RKia3-ZLe/view?usp=sharing

Eligibility
All artists working in three-dimensional mediums are welcome to apply. All artwork must be original and complete at the time of submission. Artists may work or reside anywhere in the world but selected artists must be available (either in person or virtually) for the Opening Reception and Artist Talk on May 18, 2023 from 5-7pm (EST). Applications from City of Watertown Employees and those working for the City in any capacity will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Politicized works will not be considered. Sculpture submissions that are perceived to be unsafe or untenable for longterm installation will not be selected.

Timeline
Monday, September 12                  Call opens

Thursday, September 29, 5-6pm    Virtual Info Session (optional)

Saturday, October 15, 4-5pm Site Visit (optional)

Sunday, January 8, 11:59pm          Call closes

Monday, January 23, 2023          Final Review of applications

Friday, January 27, 2023                Artist Selection and notification

April 24 - May 5                              Sculpture Installation

May 18, 5-7pm              Opening Reception/Artist Talks/Guided Tours

How to Apply

You may submit up to three sculptures for consideration. Up to three images per submission.

Apply online through Online Juried Shows: https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/Default.aspx?OJSID=56463

Application checklist:

-Up to three images per submission

-Image List: Title, Dimensions, Weight (in lbs), Materials,Year Completed

-Artist Statement, should relate to the submitted artwork (1-2 paragraphs, will be used for public promotion), if you need help with your artist statement, please reach out to Liz at ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov

-Artist Bio (1-2 paragraphs, will be used for public promotion)

-Contact Information: Name, email, phone number, address

-Optional: Website & social media links (if applicable)

Artist Selection

Sculpture submission will be reviewed using the following process and criteria:

Artists and their sculptures will be selected by a jury that includes the Public Arts & Culture Committee (PACC), Executive Board members and staff members of the New England Sculptors Association (NESA), and Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner. Sculptures will be selected based on a review of images, image list, and the clarity of their associated artist statements. Preference is given to artists who live or work in New England, Massachusetts, and Watertown. In the first round of consideration, submitted sculptures will be rated “safe” or “unsafe” by a majority decision of the PACC and NESA jurors. “Safe” sculptures will then be given a numerical score by each PACC and NESA juror using the rubric below, and the sculptures with the top 10 combined scores will be selected for discussion and a determination of the final selection of four sculptures, with input from the Public Arts & Culture Planner.

Application # - TOTAL: ____________/18__

The sculpture addresses the theme of “The River” in a clear and meaningful way

The sculpture is built to withstand outdoor display for two years

Strength of the Artist Statement

The sculpture is engaging and/or compelling

Contact + Info Sessions

If you need clarification about any part of the Community Sculpture Walk application, please contact Public Arts & Culture Planner, Liz Helfer. 

Liz Helfer, Public Arts & Culture Planner
Community Development & Planning
149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.watertown-ma.gov/688/Public-Arts-Culture
617-972-6417 Ext: 12167

There will be two opportunities to learn more about the Community Sculpture Walk and application process:

“Community Sculpture Walk: The River” Information Session (Optional)

Thursday, September 29, 5-6pm

This virtual information session will review the Call for Art and give you an opportunity to ask your burning questions!

Zoom link: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/87082711113?pwd=KzdLbWhSd25ndCs2aHVzb3p6MEtzZz09

Meeting ID: 870 8271 1113

Passcode: 162510 

Site Visit (Optional)

Saturday, October 15, 4-5pm

Interested artists are invited to meet with Liz and see where the selected sculptures will be sited. The site visit will take place at the start of the Community Path behind the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St Watertown, MA 02472. There is metered parking available behind the library, as well as bus and bike access. No need to RSVP. The visit will start on time!