Outdoor DownEast Sculpture Exhibition 2027-28

A year-long outdoor component of the DownEast National Juried Sculpture Exhibition, celebrating 21 years, with sculptures exhibited across multiple locations in Pitt County, North Carolina. The exhibition is a joint effort involving Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge, ECU Student Galleries, City of Greenville, Pitt County Cultural Arts and Recreation, and other towns and institutions. Accepted sculptures receive an honorarium of $1,200 each, with additional first-, second-, and third-place prizes.

Large-scale outdoor sculpture celebrating three-dimensional art created through techniques such as carving, modeling, and casting, using materials such as stone, metal, and wood.

Open to all artists ages 18 and up. Submit 1–6 digital images of sculpture work through Creative West; maximum 6 entries per artist. Entry fees are $15 for 1 entry and $5 each for up to 5 additional entries. Work must be large scale and fit sculpture pads ranging from 4'x4' to 10' round in diameter at locations throughout Pitt County, NC. All work must use exterior-grade materials and withstand outdoor exhibition for the entire exhibition period. Artists must be available to install and remove their own work and keep it on exhibit from February 2027 through February 2028 under a one-year contract. Installation is in February 2027; removal deadline is March 1, 2028. Installation and removal are coordinated by exhibiting entities, and accepted artists must work with entity personnel. Requests for human assistance must be submitted in writing 14 days before installation. Sculptors must deliver, retrieve, and remove their sculptures themselves and bring their own tools and generators if necessary. All bolts and hardware must be removed when the sculpture is removed. Accepted sculptures receive honorariums of $1,200 each. Additional prize awards are $1,500 for 1st Place, $750 for 2nd Place, and $500 for 3rd Place. Presenting entities insure work for 70% of its sales price during exhibition dates only, excluding installation and removal. Applicants will be notified in December 2026, no later than December 15.