Sculpture Trail

The Clayton Sculpture Trail is an outdoor public art trail with permanent locations throughout town. Now in its 11th year, the trail offers the perfect way to appreciate beautiful works of art while exploring Clayton.

The Clayton Sculpture Trail is a project of Clayton's Public Art Advisory Board. The selection committee can include local artists, residents, business owners, elected officials, civic leaders and Town staff. Artists receive an honorarium for each sculpture selected. In addition, participating artists are eligible to compete in a People's Choice vote, in which the public selects the winner of an additional award.

The 2025-2026 Sculpture Trail - features 14 works by artists from North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, and New York. Discover this year's Clayton Sculpture Trail.

For artist and location information view the Sculpture Trail Brochure (PDF).

  1. DONT FORGET US - TOWN HALL

    Do Not Forget Us

    By Nathan Pierce of Cape Girardeau, MO Location: Town Hall Watch an interview with the artist...
  2. COMET - TOWN SQUARE

    Comet

    By Hanna Jubran of Grimesland, NC
    Location: Town Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  3. EVERLASTING ARMS - TOWN SQUARE

    Everlasting Arms

    By Beau Lyday of Valdese, NC
    Location: Town Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  4. REFLECTION - TOWN SQUARE

    Reflections

    By Adam Walls of Tryon, NC
    Location: Town Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  5. NOVEL IDEA - LIBRARY

    Novel Idea

    By Craig Gray of Key West, FL
    Location: Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library Watch an interview with the artist...
  1. ALPHA AND OMEGA - HORNE SQUARE

    Alpha and Omega

    By Paris Alexander of Cary, NC
    Location: Horne Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  2. ALONG THE WATERS EDGE - HORNE SQUARE

    Along the Water's Edge

    By Grace Cathey of Waynesville, NC
    Location: Horne Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  3. ALEGRIA - HORNE SQUARE

    Alegria

    By Lawrence Feir of Greensboro, NC Location: Horne Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  4. ONE SPRING DAY - HORNE SQUARE

    One Spring Day

    By Grace Cathey of Waynesville, NC
    Location: Horne Square Watch an interview with the artist...
  5. ALLEGRO - FRONT STREET ROUNDABOUT

    Allegro

    By Hanna Jubran of Grimesland, NC Location: Front Street Roundabout Watch an interview with the artist...
  1. CAPITAL GROWTH

    Capital Growth

    By Glenn Zweygardt of Alfred Station, NY
    Location: East Clayton Community Park Watch an interview with the artist...
  2. OPEN HAND - SPRINGBROOK ROUNDABOUT

    Open Hand

    By Joe Coates of Durham, NC
    Location: Springbrook Roundabout Watch an interview with the artist...
  3. OH DEER - COMMUNITY CENTER

    Oh Deer

    By Joe Coates of Durham, NC Location: Clayton Community Center Watch an interview with the artist...
  4. FILED AWAY - WEST END

    Filed Away

    By Adam Walls of Tryon, NC Location: West End Watch an interview with the artist...

HOW THE SCULPTURE TRAIL WORKS

Each year, the Clayton Sculpture Trail brings a new collection of imaginative works to our public spaces. These sculptures are displayed through a one-year lease with the artists, typically $1,500 (or $125 per month) for smaller pieces and $3,000 per year (or $250 per month) for larger installations. This approach allows the Town to introduce fresh, diverse artwork each season while enriching public spaces throughout the community.

Public art plays an important role in creating a vibrant, welcoming community. The Sculpture Trail enhances our public spaces, adds personality to our Town, and creates unique moments of discovery for residents and visitors alike. Each piece contributes to Clayton’s overall quality of life and helps draw new visitors and businesses to the area.

The Sculpture Trail reflects Clayton’s commitment to fostering creativity, supporting the arts, and preserving the unmistakable charm that makes our Town special.