5th Annual Apex Sculpture Walk 2025-2026

Call For Artists Apex Sculpture Walk – 5th Annual Outdoor Show Town of Apex, NC

Sculpture artists are invited to participate in the Town of Apex’s 5 th annual outdoor sculpture show known as the Apex Sculpture Walk, scheduled for April 2025 through March 2026. This exhibition offers established and emerging professional artists the opportunity to display their sculptures throughout the heart of beautiful downtown Apex, North Carolina.

BACKGROUND The Town of Apex is a dynamic community dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for its citizens, visitors, and the greater Triangle region. This outdoor Apex Sculpture Walk aims to showcase a variety of outstanding artists and invite the community to engage in a meaningful artistic experience. This exhibit will bring new focus to the already vibrant downtown scene and enhance the connection to the nearby Town Hall campus and Hunter Street Park.

EXHIBITION GUIDELINES General The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the U.S. All entries must be fully completed and submitted for consideration. Absolutely no form of maquettes or models will be considered for entry. The work must be in its complete form and appear exactly as submitted. The selected works will be exhibited in designated locations throughout downtown Apex from April 2025 until March 2026. Sculptures must be on exhibit as specified and may not be removed until the conclusion of the exhibition unless prior arrangements have been made with the Town of Apex Work must be suitable for outdoor installation as follows: 1. Able to be structurally secured to available concrete pads with anchor bolts or secured by other means to the ground to prevent the piece from toppling or tipping. 2. Capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions (high winds, below zero temperatures, heavy rains, ice, snow, storms, etc.). 3. Fabricated and finished with nonhazardous materials. 4. Maintenance-free for the duration of the exhibition. 5. Appropriate for an active pedestrian environment and proper consideration for safety. PLEASE NOTE: Works not following the above criteria will not be considered for installation. While artistic quality is very important, works will be reviewed for durability, safety, and appropriateness to the site. Artwork must be structurally sound and able to withstand an outdoor environment in a largely unsupervised area that is not protected from weather or curious viewers. The Town of Apex reserves the right to photograph any sculptures and/or the artists for documentation, education, and publicity purposes without additional compensation.

Evaluation Criteria ● Visual impact. ● Interpretation and creativity. ● Composition and design. ● Craftsmanship. ● Design criteria and eligibility guidelines met.

Installation and Deinstallation 1. Installation is planned for April 17 & 18, 2025 with some assistance provided by the Town of Apex as agreed upon at least 4 weeks in advance prior to installation. Arrangements may be made for installation on an alternate date on a case-by-case basis. 2. The artists will be responsible for the delivery of the works to and from downtown Apex and also for securing the installation of their sculptures. The Town of Apex cannot accept any shipments on behalf of the Artist. 3. Artists are responsible for bringing all tools and materials necessary to install their pieces. Apex cannot supply ladders, tools, or extension cords. If installation of specific sculptures requires external power, installation equipment, or extra hands to install the artwork, artists must include those specific items in their application packet. The Town of Apex is under no obligation to accommodate any last-minute installation requests. 4. The artist must indicate on the application how the sculpture will be securely anchored or if there are other special requirements. Artists must specify in their application if they will need a concrete pad and what size would be needed for their work. 5. Artists will be responsible for the removal of all sculptures between March 16-20, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: Artists unable to meet the scheduled installation and deinstallation requirements are not eligible for participation.

Insurance and Liability To participate, artists or their installers must provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $500,000 and name the Town of Apex as additional insured to cover the installation and the de-installation of their work. The Town of Apex will insure each work against damage or theft for the duration of the exhibition at a value determined by an independent art appraiser. The Town will not alter or change the condition of the sculptures during the exhibition in any way unless specifically authorized by the artists with detailed written instruction, provided in the application. If damages to the sculpture occur, the artist will be notified immediately. Because the Town of Apex does not insure works during installation nor transport to the site, artists are highly encouraged to insure their works. Participation in the entry process constitutes a full understanding and acceptance of the conditions set forth in this Call For Artists.

Calendar

• • Entry Deadline: Thursday, November 14, 2024, 11:59 PM eastern time.
• • Application Review: November-December 2024.
• • Notification to Artists: Late December 2024.
• • Contracting Process per Town of Apex procedures: January 2025.
• • Installation: April 17 & 18, 2025. • Artist Reception: April 18, 2025.
• • Deinstallation: Between March 16-20, 2026.

CALL SUMMARY ● Sculpture must be an original design. ● Priority will be given to those sculptures completed within the last three years but other works will be considered. ● Creativity and innovation of design is encouraged. ● Sculpture must be suitable for viewing by all ages. ● Sculpture may not be used for advertisement or to promote businesses or products. ● Designs must not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational branding or images of drugs. ● Sculpture can be of any medium, but artists should consider structural and surface soundness and materials that can withstand outside and uncovered weather conditions as well as inherent resistance to theft, vandalism, and excessive maintenance and repair costs. Artists will be required to outline in their proposal their own experience with the material.