2019 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

The City of Cape Girardeau Public Art Committee is now accepting submissions from qualified sculptors to participate in the 2019 - 2020 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. Now in it’s 6th year, the location of the exhibition will be along the Broadway Corridor, a nine-block span in downtown Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Cape is also home to locally owned businesses that bring flavor and matchless experiences. Places such as the city hall, the federal courthouse, Southeast Missouri State University, the Marquette Tech District and Media Row are also found in Cape Girardeau’s Downtown.

The Public Art Exhibition has been identified as yet another dynamic revitalization strategy to elevate the arts community within the region, as confirmed by the success of the past four years of exhibits. Missouri Main Street Connection has named the exhibit a finalist and semi-finalist for two State Awards in 2015 and 2016. We have also sold a piece that is now on permanent display on Broadway, and in 2017 a piece was donated to the Public Art Committee to provide an opportunity to raise funds to grow public art in Cape!

Several locations along the Broadway Corridor in Downtown Cape Girardeau have been selected for public sculpture and yield high visibility with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. All work entered must be freestanding and “suitable” for long-term outdoor public display within the space provided. The durability of the work and safety of the public will be a consideration for selection.

By hosting the Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on Broadway, the Committee hopes to achieve two primary goals: increase the number of arts-related activities within the region and provide an additional revitalization strategy for Downtown Cape Girardeau.

Suitable outdoor work ready for installation must be:

• Able to be structurally secured to a concrete pad with 3/8 to 1/2 inch anchor bolts, or able to sit safely on the ground with no possibility of tipping. Concrete pads are 4′ x 4′, but other sizes may be accepted upon review.
• Capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions, high winds, extreme summer heat, and freezing conditions. – maintenance free for the duration of the exhibition.
• Safe for the general public (no sharp edges, no climbing hazards, no breakable or bendable components, of a height that would not create a balance hazard, etc.) Works judged as unsuitable will not be considered for the exhibition.

JUROR

Stephanie Sailer received her M.F.A. from the University of Kansas, with an emphasis in Sculpture, with a prior M.A. and B.F.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. Upon completion, she worked as an Academic Advisor at the University of Iowa, providing insight into the academic, social, and intellectual development of the college student. She is currently working as an Art Instructor and Advisor at Northern Illinois University and McHenry County College.

Media inquiries about the Public Art Committee or Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition on Broadway should be directed to the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri at 573-334-9233 or artscouncil@capearts.org.