Bethel Arts, (BA) and Sustainable Bethel are now accepting submissions from sculptors to participate in the 2025 – 2026 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. The location of the exhibition will be in downtown Bethel on the lawn of the Municipal Center and the Bethel Public Library.
All work entered must be freestanding and suitable for long-term outdoor public display within the space provided. The durability of the work and safety of the public will be a consideration for selection.
Artist should consider a broad range of potential sculptures which may include elements from the Earth or recycled materials but is by no means limited to such pieces. BA and Sustainable Bethel are looking for diverse, sculpture in material and style. The list below provides some thoughts / frameworks to consider.
- Subject of the sculpture is related to sustainability,
- Sculpture that the evokes the power of the earth, human interplay with it,
- Can raise awareness about an aspect of sustainability and the planet,
- Use of sustainable materials / practices in the creation of the piece..
BETHEL 2025 OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBITION GUIDELINES
The Bethel Arts Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition is open to all applicants 18 and older. All entries must be original work and of safe design and construction. Acceptable entries may be existing works or detailed sculpture proposals. The selected works are to be on display in Bethel from April 2025 to April 2026.
Suitable work ready for outdoor installation must be:
- Able to be structurally secured to a 5×5 concrete pad with 3/8 to ½-inch anchor bolts. – capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions, high winds, extreme summer heat, and freezing conditions,
- Maintenance free for the duration of the exhibition,
- Safe for the general public – no sharp edges, no climbing hazards, no breakable or bendable components, of a height that would not create a balance hazard etc.
Works judged as unsuitable will not be considered for the exhibition.
Each artist selected for the exhibition will receive a $1,000 honorarium to cover transportation, installation and de-installation of the sculpture, and all other expenses involved. Any costs over $1,000 are entirely the responsibility of the artist.
Artists are responsible for the delivery, installation, and removal of the artwork according to the timeline agreed upon with Bethel Arts. Bethel Arts will provide limited assistance and supervision of the installation and de-installation of artwork. Sculptures must be installed no later than April 15, 2025 and removed by April 15th, 2026. Any sculpture that cannot meet the scheduled installation and de-installation dates will be disqualified and an alternate piece will be chosen.
Artists may sell the exhibiting artwork during the exhibition period. BA stipulates a 25% commission on all sales of exhibited artwork.
An online brochure and catalog will be produced to promote the exhibition and the exhibited artists.
