Call For Entry for the Sculpture Trail

Download Entry Criteria and Entry Form (PDF) | Jump down to Criteria

Next Exhibition Dates: May 1, 2024 – April 25, 2026

Deadline for entries: March 1st, 2024

About the Trail

The Cloverdale Sculpture Trail invites sculptors and sculptor teams to submit entries. Each sculptor selected to exhibit will receive $300 from a sponsor to assist with expenses.

Three sculptures will be selected by judges to receive awards as follows:  $1,000 Best of Show, $500 First Place and $250 Honorable Mention.

To bring awareness to the Sculpture Trail and the exhibiting sculptors each year we provide the following:

  • Public releases and calendar listings include print, online media, radio stations, art organizations, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, and art galleries throughout California. Plus, a listing in the Sonoma County Visitors Guide, “Sculpture Spotlight” appears monthly in our local newpaper, Cloverdale Connect, showcasing a different sculptor each issue.
  • Printed brochures distributed in key tourism areas in Sonoma County and downloadable here
  • We have an active Facebook and Instagram.
  • Sculptures can be made available for sale, which will be noted on sculpture signs next to each sculpture and at our website.   I am also working on getting new signage for better visibility and weather-proofing.
  • Each sculptor selected to exhibit will receive $300 from a sponsor to assist with expenses. After installation, professional judges will review the pieces and awards will be given as follows:  Best of Show – $1,000, $500.00  – First Place and $250 – Honorable Mention. 
  • We will again produce a video on the participating sculptors to be shown at the opening reception and then viewed at our website and You Tube.
  • Otocast will continue to provide a narrated (English and Spanish), self-guided walking tour where visitors worldwide can explore the Trail by downloading from Google Play or Apple App Store the free Otocast app.

Video and Otocast

Each year we produce a video on the participating sculptors to show at the opening reception and then viewed at our website and You Tube. A narrated, audio (English & Spanish), self-guided walking tour with audio from the actual artists will be available through Otocast. The Trail can be explored worldwide by downloading from Google Play or Apple App Store the free Otocast app and search for Cloverdale. 10 countries besides the U.S. have taken the tour.

If you are not familiar with Cloverdale, it is a town 80 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101. Cloverdale is known for its small town ambiance, history, wine tasting and burgeoning arts community. Sculptures in Cloverdale wander through the easily walkable downtown area and beyond.

If you have a smart phone with a QR code app you can access the Otocast Sculpture Trail by using the code which is on the our brochure and on the sign next to each sculpture. Use your camera to take you to the Otocast Trail.

Exhibition Timeline

March 1, 2024
Deadline for receipt of entries
March 15,2024
Artists will be notified of selection – artists selected will receive $300 at time of installation
April 25, 2024
Installation of selected sculptures
April 25, 2024
Removal of the 2022-2024 exhibit sculptures
May 10, 2024
Prize winners notified
TBA
Opening Reception

How to Enter – Criteria

Download Entry Criteria and Entry Form (open with Acrobat)

(Please note to use the send function on the form you need to open it in Acrobat, not your browser)

  • No Entry Fee.  
  • Multiple pieces may be submitted. Fill out an entry form for each piece you are going to submit.  
  • Submit a photo of the completed sculpture(s) to be entered, or a detailed sketch if not yet completed (jpg accepted).
  • Submit a description of the work(s): size, composition, how it will be stable and safe for the viewing public. (No sharp edges, no moving sculpture parts, etc.). Note: Most sculptures will be placed on concrete sidewalks & must be free standing. No bolting into the sidewalks. A few areas are available for staking.
  • Submit a resume.
  • Submit a specific artist statement about work(s) to be entered; maximum of 200 words per each entry.
  • A general artist statement; maximum of 200 words.
  • 2 photographs of recent work identified by sculptor’s name in jpg format not to exceed 1.5 MB in size.
  • Sculptures must be maintenance free, able to withstand heat, sun, wind, sprinklers, rain, children, and crowds. Size should be of sufficient scale for an outdoor, open-air exhibit.
  • Selection is at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Selected pieces will be reviewed by the City of Cloverdale for the viewing public’s safety.
  • Each artist will be responsible for set-up and costs beyond the $250 provided each sculptor. If you need extra hands, please bring them along. A forklift can be scheduled to off-load and place sculptures, and to reload at the end of exhibit. There is no charge for the use of the forklift.
  • All reasonable care & precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of the sculptures with security cameras, bolting and staking.  At this time, insurance to cover loss or damage of sculptures will not be provided due to its expense.  However, we are exploring policies to see if this will be feasible for the 2024-2026 Trail.  We encourage you to arrange your own loss or damage coverage through your insurance carrier.  If insurance can not be provided by the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail, exhibiting artists are required to sign a Waiver, Release, and Indemnity Agreement form prior to installation.