Calling all sculptors

Thursday, Feb. 7 — Michigan sculptors have the opportunity to display their work in a prominent downtown Lansing park this summer through the Lansing Art Gallery’s third annual Sculptures in the Park exhibition.

The gallery is looking to commission seven to 10 sculptures to be on display in Wentworth Park, located on the Grand River downtown at the Michigan and Grand avenues intersection. The exhibition will be on display from June 1 through the end of August. The submission deadline is Feb. 28. Submissions can include work from the past three years or designs for upcoming projects.

Curator and gallery Executive Director Catherine Babcock said the idea for the outdoor exhibition came from a desire to reach a larger community that might not otherwise make it to a gallery showing.

“I saw lots of college-aged kids outside the gallery after a show and none of them had attended the reception. I thought that if they weren’t going to come into the gallery, I’d bring the gallery to them,” she said.

Artists selected for the exhibit will receive a $2,000 stipend for each piece accepted and up to $500 per piece for those purchasing insurance.

The exhibition will also offer exposure for the artists through a QR code printed on all sculpture areas, connecting viewers to more information about the work and the artist. A telephone number will be printed alongside the art, allowing listeners to hear the artist talk about their specific project. A free mobile app will provide a comprehensive guide and tour of the exhibition.

The location and design of Wentworth Park was a key factor in choosing the setting for the new exhibition, Babcock said. Much like the River Trail location downtown last year, this area will be a place for people who are just passing through or on lunch break to enjoy the art.

“I like the idea of putting it centrally downtown where people can check it out every day,” Babcock said. “The park is beautiful and is already like an outdoor gallery itself.”

Any type of sculpture will be accepted for the judging process, although a consideration of the environment and history of the area is suggested. Babcock will be taking appointments for any artists who want to discuss potential ideas.

There is no entry fee for submitting work and Sculptures in the Park is open to Michigan artists or teams over 18 years old. For more information on the gallery and submitting your work, visit lansingartgallery.org or call 517-374-6400.