Call for Sculpture – SNAPPY at Phinizy - Greater Augusta Arts Council

Overview

The Greater Augusta Arts Council invites proposals from qualified sculptors and artist teams to create a unique, durable, low-maintenance sculpture titled "Snappy" depicting a Common Snapping Turtle. The sculpture will be installed along the Beaver Trail within the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences and Nature Park in Augusta, Georgia. Artists are encouraged to interpret the subject creatively while complementing the park's mission of environmental education and conservation.

Award & Budget

• $9,500 stipend to cover all expenses: design, engineering, fabrication, transportation, insurance, installation, site preparation, and other costs

Key Dates

• Installation Deadline: No later than February 28, 2027

Eligibility

This Request for Proposals is open to professional sculptors and artist teams residing in the Southeastern United States. All applicants must be at least 18 years old.

How to Submit

• Submit up to 5 separate proposals (each application must contain only one sculpture concept)
• Applications with multiple concepts will be disqualified

Site Details

The sculpture will be located along the Beaver Trail, one of the park's popular walking paths. The precise location is nestled along the forest line adjacent to the Beaver Trail between Butler Creek and the Mayoral Pond, near a bridge path and outdoor classroom. Carting in the sculpture will be necessary as vehicles cannot traverse the Beaver Trail fully. The sculpture must be designed to withstand climate conditions (average winter temps in mid-40s to summer temps in low 80s, with periods of extreme heat, humidity, heavy rainfall, and occasional tropical storm conditions) with minimal maintenance for at least twenty years.

Selection Criteria

• Qualifications and experience creating outdoor public sculpture
• Quality and originality of the proposed design
• Artistic excellence demonstrated through previous work
• Suitability of the proposal for the site and the educational mission of the Phinizy Center
• Durability and safety of proposed materials
• Feasibility of the project within the stated budget and timeline
• Professional references
• Clear installation plan

About the Site

This commission will become the sixth permanent sculptural installation at the Phinizy Center, expanding the park's growing sculpture trail. The Phinizy Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to watershed research, environmental education, and conservation, located on over 1,100 acres of wetlands, forests, and trails. This project is made possible through funding provided by the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and older adults through accessible public art.