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Call for Artists (2025)
The Town of Clayton is seeking artists to participate in our upcoming 12th annual outdoor public art trail, known as the Clayton Sculpture Trail, an exciting public art exhibition designed to celebrate creativity and enhance community spaces.
We invite local, regional, and national established and emerging professional artists to submit original, outdoor-appropriate sculptures that reflect creativity, craftsmanship, and an engaging visual presence in a public setting. This juried exhibition aims to promote cultural enrichment, public interaction with the arts, and enhance our outdoor spaces. More information is available below or you may view our printable Call for Artists (PDF).
Background
The Town of Clayton is a dynamic community dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for its citizens, visitors, and the greater Triangle region. This outdoor trail aims to showcase a variety of outstanding artists and provide them the opportunity to display their sculptures throughout the heart of beautiful Downtown Clayton, North Carolina. This exhibit will bring renewed energy to the already vibrant downtown scene, strengthening the connection to the nearby Community Center and extending its impact across surrounding streets and gathering spaces.
Downtown Clayton offers exceptional accessibility, with both I-40 and I-95 located just minutes away. Conveniently situated in Johnston County, Downtown Clayton is only a 20-minute drive from Downtown Raleigh and the North Carolina State Capitol, providing quick access to the region’s cultural, business, and governmental hubs. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is also within easy reach, approximately 30 minutes, making Clayton a highly connected destination for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
Exhibition Criteria
The applicant must be at least 18 years of age. All entries must be fully completed and submitted for consideration. Absolutely no form of maquettes or models will be considered for entry. The work must be in its complete form and appear exactly as submitted.
The selected works will be exhibited in designated locations throughout Downtown Clayton from March 2026 until March 2027. Sculptures must be on exhibit as specified and may not be removed until the conclusion of the exhibition unless prior arrangements have been made with the Town of Clayton.
Selected sculptures will each receive either a $1,500 (Category B) or $3,000 (Category A) honorarium to offset transportation, insurance, and other incidental expenses upon the successful delivery and installation of the sculpture to the selected site. Out-of-state artists will receive an additional $250.00 travel stipend for installation only at the completion of a successful install. All travel, lodging and transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the artist. Artists are responsible for any removal and storage fees incurred after April 1, 2027.
One artist will be selected by community vote to receive a $1,000 People's Choice Award. The People's Choice Award votes will be collected for a 4-week period after installation of the sculptures and will be awarded in December 2026.
1. Able to be structurally secured to available concrete pads with anchor bolts or secured by other means to the ground to prevent the piece from toppling or tipping.
2. Capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions (high winds, below zero temperatures, heavy rain, ice, snow, storms, etc.).
3. Fabricated and finished with nonhazardous materials.
4. Maintenance free for the duration of the exhibition.
5. Appropriate for an active pedestrian environment and proper consideration for safety.
***PLEASE NOTE: Works not following the above criteria will not be considered for installation.
While artistic quality is very important, works will be reviewed for durability, safety, and appropriateness to the site. Artwork must be structurally sound and able to withstand an outdoor environment in a largely unsupervised area that is not protected from weather or curious viewers. Artwork that has been misrepresented in the application process, is deemed unsafe for the public, or reviewed as structurally unreliable, will be withheld from the exhibition. The Town of Clayton will not be required to provide compensation if artwork is reviewed and then omitted from the exhibition at the time of arrival.
The Town of Clayton reserves the right to photograph any sculptures and/or the artists for documentation, education, and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
- Visual impact
- Interpretation and creativity
- Composition and design
- Structural integrity and durability
- Design criteria and eligibility guidelines met
- Appropriateness to the setting and community
***A selection panel consisting of local arts professionals, community representatives, and staff will jury the submissions.
1. Installation is planned for the third week of March 2027 (exact day(s) and times to be determined) with some assistance provided by the Town of Clayton as agreed upon.
2. The artists will be responsible for the delivery of the works to and from the Town of Clayton. The Town of Clayton cannot accept any shipments on behalf of the artist.
3. Artists are responsible for bringing all tools and materials necessary to install their pieces. The Town of Clayton cannot supply ladders, tools, or extension cords. If installation of specific sculptures requires external power, installation equipment, or extra hands to install the artwork, artists must include those specific items in their application packet. The Town of Clayton is under no obligation to accommodate any last-minute installation requests.
4. The Town of Clayton will provide a level concrete pad or another mutually agreed-upon platform for securing the sculptures. If lifting equipment is needed, the Town of Clayton will provide equipment and rigging components. Artists must provide Red Head wedge anchors, or similar anchor device, sized appropriately for each piece. Artists must specify in their application what size would be needed for their work. The Town of Clayton will install anchors and assist artists with installation. In all cases, the artist is fully responsible for proper securement of the sculpture.
5. Artists will be responsible for the removal of all sculptures between March 15-19, 2027.
***PLEASE NOTE: Artists unable to meet the scheduled installation and deinstallation requirements are not eligible for participation.
To participate, artists or their installers must provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $500,000 and name the Town of Clayton as additional insured to cover the installation and the de-installation of their work. The sculptures will be insured by the Town of Clayton up to the stated selling price (less 20%) from the point they are installed until the point they are removed.
The Town of Clayton will not alter or change the condition of the sculptures during the exhibition in any way unless specifically authorized by the artists with detailed written instruction provided in the application. If damages to the sculpture occur, the artist will be notified immediately.
Participation in the entry process constitutes a full understanding and acceptance of the conditions set forth in this Call For Artists.
- Entry Deadline: October 1, 2025
- Application Review: November 18, 2025
- Notification to Artists: Early January 2026
- Contracting Process per Town of Clayton procedures: January 2026
- Installation: March 23-24, 2026
- Deinstallation: March 15-19, 2027
- Sculpture must be an original design.
- Creativity and innovation of design is encouraged.
- Sculpture must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
- Sculpture may not be used for advertisement or to promote businesses or products.
- Designs must not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, business names, corporate or organizational branding or images of drugs.
- Sculpture can be of any medium, but artists should consider structural and surface soundness and materials that can withstand outside and uncovered weather conditions as well as inherent resistance to theft, vandalism, and excessive maintenance and repair costs.
Email the following information to Heidi Holland at hholland@townofclaytonnc.org by October 1, 2025 or Apply Here
- Up to 3 images of each proposed sculpture (JPEG or PNG)
- Artist statement and bio
- Sculpture description
- Title
- Materials
- Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth)
- Weight
- Date of Creation
- Pad size needed
- Category (A or B)
- Selling Price
- Installation requirements
- Equipment
- Manpower
- Contact information
- Name
- Address
- Phone
Questions?
Contact Heidi Holland at hholland@townofclaytonnc.org or call 984-301-9200