Call for Artists: Sculpture Gallery at the Botanical Gardens

Seeking sculptural work for outdoor Sculpture Gallery at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg CA.

The deadline to apply is February 20, 2016.

Download the application

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG) presents a premiere site-specific sculpture gallery on their grounds, featuring a variety of abstract and figurative sculpture, water features, kinetic sculptures and monumental works. Visitors are able to view and enjoy the artwork in an intimate, natural setting, connected by meandering paths and quiet walkways.

Drawing upon the wealth of artistic talent in Northern California, the Sculpture Gallery primarily showcases the work of local and regional artists. Towards that end, the MCBG partners with the Arts Council of Mendocino County (ACMC) to administer its sculpture program.

The Sculpture Gallery features a rotating collection of up to 10 pieces. Sculpture is accepted once every other year by a jury selection process, and the artwork is available to purchase with 60% going to the artist, and a 40% commission retained to be divided between the MCBG and the ACMC. Any unsold artwork is retrieved by the artist at the conclusion of the display period, or displayed for another period at the sole discretion of the jury selection committee and with the artist’s permission. The maximum display period is two years.  Weather permitting, there is an opening party and artist reception at the start of each display period.

Timeline for the Sculpture Gallery: Display period May 2016 – April 2018 (approximately 23 months)

• Deadline for submissions: February 20, 2016
• Notification to Artists: by the Third Friday in March (notification occurs by email)
• Accepted artwork must be delivered to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens during the month of April

The date for the opening of the next sculpture gallery is May 7th or 8th, 2016.

About the Gardens:
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous waves. The mild maritime climate makes it a garden for all seasons, attracting gardeners and nature lovers alike. Manicured formal gardens, a dense coastal pine forest, fern-covered canyons, diverse plant collections, and flower-filled coastal bluffs overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean are among the many attractions. Whale watchers can take shelter in the Cliff House to view winter and spring migrations, bird lovers will delight in the over 150 species of birds that live in or visit the Gardens each year. The Gardens receive 60,000 visitors annually.