Call for Artists : Ela’s Forest Outdoor Sculpture (Paid Opportunity)

Organization: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College

Description: The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art invites proposals for artists to create a new work of outdoor sculpture honoring the memory of Ela Friedman, a radiant little girl whose life was cut short by an act of domestic violence. Ela’s love of nature inspired a global community to plant Ela's Forest.

This living tribute of trees and rocks inspired The AGB’s 2019-2020 exhibit of the same name. Ela’s Forest in all its forms serves as a testament to the power of love, shared grief, and mutual support by symbolizing the resilience and beauty of Ela and her community.

Details: Artists of all ages are welcome to apply; however, the sculpture selected must be feasibly produced by the artist or the artist’s representatives and exhibitable as a physical, safe, and sustainable outdoor object. There are no fees associated with submission. Artist must be a resident of any of the following counties:  Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Pasco, Polk, Pinellas, and Volusia.

The artist selected to produce the outdoor sculpture will receive a fixed $18,000 stipend that must cover all materials, construction, transport, and installation costs, as well as all incidental expenses entailed by the creation and delivery of the sculpture.  Any additional costs are the responsibility of the artist and/or artist’s representatives.*

This call for proposals continues the work of Ela’s Forest by inviting artists to create a new work of sculpture that embodies playfulness and wonder while acknowledging the profound loss that inspired the planting of Ela’s Forest. Art often serves as a response to injustice or a corrective to power, providing a vital reactionary function. However, while the tragic ramifications of domestic violence and injustices of the legal system should not be forgotten, this project seeks to expand possibility.

The sculpture should not only honor Ela’s memory but also spark discovery and engagement among those who encounter it, inspiring reflection and connection. The Ela’s Forest Outdoor Sculpture will be part of the permanent collection of The AGB at Florida Southern College and may be placed on loan in other locations. 

Important Dates: Entry deadline is June 1, 2025 at 5 PM. Finalist artists will be contacted by September 5, 2025,

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