The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) Sculpture Walk project is a multi-year effort headed up by the CRAG Sculpture Committee to acquire outdoor sculptures for display on the grounds of the Great North Woods Center for the Arts (GNWCA) in Columbia, New Hampshire. This public art project began in 2020 with the acquisition and installation of three sculptures by local artists and the inauguration of an annual CRAG Sculpture Competition – an open call for sculptural design submittals with a competitive selection process.
Our vision is to create and gradually expand a serene public venue featuring sculptural artworks by regional artists on the grounds of the GNWCA. For the first two years, the private and public funding of $1500. was offered for the winning entry. Multiple exciting entries were received each year, and the winning sculptures (“Happy Hunting” by Liz Helfer installed in 2021 and “Winding Walk” by Gillian Christy installed in 2022) are truly outstanding works which are now on display along the Sculpture Walk.
The competition prize was increased from $1500. to $3,000. in time for the 2023 competition, however none of the design proposals submitted that year earned the final approval of the Sculpture Committee. Still CRAG was able to install two new sculptures in 2023 (a supersize chime and timber supporting arch and “Late Bloomer” by Keith Hopps) through private donations. CRAG eagerly anticipates new acquisitions in the coming years, through the annual Sculpture Competition and through private donations as this exciting and unique North Country public arts project continues to grow.
Annual Sculpture Competition Requirements
OPEN CALL: Requests for Proposals for inclusion in CRAG’s Sculpture Garden and Walk at the Great North Woods Center for the Arts (GNWCA). Media Requirements: Submissions must be at least 3’ in height and be designed for outdoor display. All media that can withstand Northern New Hampshire weather extremes is admissible.
Submission Requirements:
Cover Letter describing submission proposal
3 to 5 images of proposed submission
Artist resume including biography, educational background, and exhibition history
Entries Due Date: Submission must be sent no later than March 30, 2025
Notification to artist’s: Artist’s will be notified by April 30, 2025.
Installation Timeline: This will be decided by the artist and committee with a target date of around August 15th. An opening reception and possible artist talk will also be decided in consultation with the artist.
Accepted work: Artist must deliver the piece between the dates provided above and have the ability to install the sculpture with assistance from CRAG members. The winning sculpture will be displayed permanently outdoors along the CRAG Sculpture Walk located on the grounds of the GNWCA in Columbia, NH. The installation site will be determined by CRAG with input from the sculptor. Existing sculptures and more than one submission from the sculptor are acceptable and encouraged.
Prize: $3000 payable to the artist on delivery and installation of the work.
Jurors: A specially appointed committee of four board members of CRAG will be responsible for choosing the winning sculpture.
Contact: Proposals should be emailed to Michele Johnsen at art@michelejohnsen.com. For questions, please contact Bette Guerin at bette@fiddleheadsusa.com, Nancy Smith at trailsend092@gmail.com or Michele Johnsen at art@michelejohnsen.com. Visit the CRAG Facebook page for updates on events and classes too! You can find out more about the Great North Woods Center for the Arts at gnwca.org.
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The Connecticut River Artisan Group (CRAG) is pleased to announce that two new additions were added in the summer of 2024 to our growing Sculpture Walk located on the grounds of the Great North Woods Center for the Arts in Columbia, NH. On Thursday, June 20th, 2024, a new sculpture by New Hampshire artist Markus Weinfurter entitled, “Wind in the Willow” was installed.
Mr. Weinfurter’s work draws on his wide-ranging and unusual artistic background – he has over 20 years’ experience in the dramatic arts as a set designer and builder, dancer, stilt walker, performer, and documentary film director and producer in addition to his success as a metal sculptor. His dynamic metal creations made from recycled materials were recently featured on Channel 9’s New Hampshire Chronicle. “As a metal artist, I am passionate about creating unique pieces using reclaimed materials. My background in theater design inspires me to think outside the box and create pieces that are not only beautiful but also functional. Each piece I create is one-of-a-kind and tells its own story.” We are indeed fortunate to add one of his creations as a permanent addition to the growing CRAG Sculpture Walk and urge the public to come see this latest acquisition and hear Mr. Weinfurter give a brief presentation about his sculptures.
On Saturday, July 13th, 2024, the second new sculpture was installed at the Center. “World Wide Web” by New Hampshire sculptor Blaze Konefal is another exciting and imaginative metalwork. Mr. Konefal takes everyday objects and creates whimsey. His creations are often dynamic and intriguing. “They remain dormant until some outside force, such as invisible wind, disturbs their static equilibrium. Some art moves with no obvious force being applied, however it is your mind that is supplying the motion.”
