OSCODA – Oscoda Township’s Art and Placemaking Committee has issued a “Call for Artists” to seek entries for a found-object sculpture exhibit on the Oscoda Art Walk on the theme “Art Rise” to showcase the talents of Oscoda’s undiscovered artists.
Winners will be announced on May 24 at an outdoor artist reception in Oscoda’s Art Walk.
“This is not a ‘regular’ call to artists,” says Chair Robin Savage. “We want to recognize the hidden talent in our area of people that can create a sculpture out of found objects. You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to participate. This is an opportunity to assemble some found objects and let the creative juices flow. The possibilities are endless. We are so excited to see what gets created.”
Participants should build a sculpture that, if chosen, could be installed on a cement pad in the Oscoda Art Walk. The choice of materials is up to the artist, keeping in mind that the work will be exhibited outdoors so it should be weather-worthy.
Entrants have until April 30 to submit photos of their three-dimensional works to the committee, either by email to [email protected] or by delivering the photos to the Robert J. Parks Library or To the Moon and Back. The works will be judged by a panel of jurors.
“There is no entry fee. Also, there is no cash prize. The reward is recognition and display for a minimum of a year in the Art Walk,” says Committee Member Lain MacKenzie. “However, artists may indicate that their works are for sale and provide contact information for prospective buyers.”
The theme is not just a nod to the famous Grand Rapids event, Art Prize, but also picks up on Oscoda’s brand of “Take Flight,” according to Committee member Vicki Hopcroft. Since the theme can be honored by creating art from what would otherwise be discarded, participants are unlimited in their choice of subject matter, as long as it is family-friendly.
“When I was on the board at California’s Museum of Ancient and Modern Art,” says Hopcroft, “I had the privilege to meet and work with found-object sculptor Willem DeGroot, who has sold such pieces to numerous collectors. His work and other found-object sculptures can be seen online. Many sculptors create animal or fantasy creatures, caricatures or oversized common items. As we say in Oscoda’s art world, ‘Take Flight!’ This is going to be interesting.”
Sign-ups are underway and are being taken at the Robert J. Parks Library, 6010 N. Skeel Avenue, Oscoda, and To the Moon and Back, 119 S. State Street, Oscoda, where contestants can obtain copies of the Rules and Guidelines, and also where photos of the completed works are to be turned in. Details of the contest are also available at Oscoda Art Walk, on its Facebook page, facebook.com/oscodaartwalk.
The Art and Placemaking Committee is a subcommittee of Oscoda’s Economic Improvement Committee which has overseen the development of the Oscoda Art Walk and its ongoing outdoor exhibits throughout downtown and the Oscoda Beach Park, as well as the contests which resulted in the colorful large-scale artworks displayed at Township Hall, AuSable Hardware and The Office Lounge. Its future projects also include bringing multiple dramatic murals and a community-participation mosaic to the Art Walk.
The Art and Placemaking Committee consists of Savage, herself a professional artist and director of the Robert J. Parks Library; MacKenzie of To the Moon and Back and Anchorage Retreat Center; and Hopcroft of Hopcroft Law PLC and Aviko Fine Art.