Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the 19th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition. Up to 13 sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $18,500. A $1250 honorarium is given to all artists accepted into the show. Once all pieces are installed, the juror will award Best in Show ($1000), Outstanding Merit ($500), and up to three Honorable Mentions ($250 each). An application fee of $35 allows artists to submit up to four entries for consideration. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, February 25, 2025. This 11-month exhibition opens with the North Charleston Arts Fest on April 30, 2025, and remains on view through March 15, 2026. Established and emerging artists selected for the exhibition display their thought provoking, extraordinary sculptures throughout the picturesque North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston. Set on the banks of the Cooper River, Riverfront Park features ten acres of walking paths, a boardwalk and fountain, an expansive lawn, children's play area, and picnic sites. An estimated 50,000 people visit this public park annually to enjoy the amenities located in the heart of the city’s arts community. The juror for the 2025/2026 competition and exhibition is Greg Shelnutt, artist and professor of art and head of the sculpture area in the Department Art & Design at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE.
