History of the Figure Modeling Competition The National Sculpture Competition was established in 1978 by Barry Johnston in memory of his father, James Wilbur Johnston, to re-assert the importance and value of figure study in contemporary sculpture. It is now co-sponsored by Brookgreen Gardens, The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, National Sculpture Society and New York Academy of Art.
Objective
To successfully model a full-length figure from life.
Size. 30”-36” armature
Time Limit. 28 hours over a five day period
Eligibility Each competitor must be an emerging sculptor, between the ages of 18 and 39.
Selection of Competitors Members of the National Sculpture Society Education Committee, made up of individuals from across the country, select the figure modeling competitors based on the images submitted. No more than 12 sculptors will be selected, along with 3 alternates. Notification of acceptance to compete will be by letter on April 19th.
Competition Location The competition location is on a rotating basis. This year the competition will take place at Brookgreen Gardens, Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Exhibited within Brookgreen Gardens' beautiful botanical displays is the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country. Its collection has more than 1,200 works by 350 sculptors who worked from the early nineteenth century to the present. The collection and grounds are sure to inspire each competitor during the course of the competition
Competition Schedule The Welcome Reception is Sunday evening, May 23. Monday morning, competitors will construct their armatures. Monday afternoon, all day Tuesday, through Thursday and Friday till noon (28 hours total) modeling will take place. The judging will occur Friday, May 28. Presentation of all prizes will take place at the reception following the conclusion of the judging.
Competition Expenses Each competitor is responsible for his/her own meals, travel and daily expenses. Information on accommodations will be sent to all selected competitors, and some travel assistance awards will be available. If you wish to apply, check the appropriate blank on the application and enter an estimate of your travel expense.
Supplies Gray, water-based modeling clay, modeling stands, and materials to build armatures are supplied. However, competitors must supply personal sculpture tools, large plastic bags, wrapping cloth and spray bottle.
Ownership Each figure modeling sculpture is the property of the artist.
Judging Criteria
The nationally known sculptor, Walker Hancock set the criteria for the
competition in 1978. It reads as follows:
Each sculpture is judged on mastery of the human figure in sculptural form as
well as each competitor’s comprehension of the action, unity and rhythm of the
pose. Emphasis is placed on encouraging the analytic observation of the human
figure, including proportion, stance, solidity and continuity of line. Of
secondary importance is surface finish and detail.
Simply stated, mastery of the human figure will be of paramount importance. The
sculptures should be anatomically accurate and structurally clear, the rendering
in contrast to the model should be precise.
Jurors Each year 3 nationally known sculptors are invited to judge the competition. These jurors are invited by the National Sculpture Society and must have extensive knowledge and understanding of figure sculpture. Individuals directly connected with any of the host institutions are not eligible to serve as jurors. All decisions of the judges are final.
Award Ceremony On Friday afternoon, May 28th, following the conclusion of the figure modeling competition, the entries will be judged. The prizes will then be presented at the concluding ceremony, at which time the Dexter Jones Award winner will also be announced. For those wishing it, individual critiques by the jurors will also be available time permitting. Winners will have a photo of their work published in the National Sculpture Society's News Bulletin.
Awards CHARLOTTE GEFFKEN PRIZE $5,000 ROGER T. WILLIAMS PRIZE $1,500 WALTER & MICHAEL LANTZ PRIZE $750 EDWARD FENNO HOFFMAN PRIZE $350 GLORIA MEDAL