Salisbury Sculpture Show wins Centralina Council of Governments Award
Published 3:59 pm Monday, May 16, 2016
- Artist Matt Amante and Randy Goodman set up Amante’s piece titled ‘Semi-Circle balance study #11’ on the corner of Lee and Kerr streets in early April for this year’s Salisbury Sculpture Show. The annual show has been recognized with an award from the Centralina Council of Governments. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
SALISBURY — Salisbury’s Sculpture Show took one of six top honors last week at the Centralina Council of Governments Region of Excellence Awards.
The awards celebrate the work of its member governments that work collectively to achieve regional goals and contribute to significant and positive advancements in the community.
The annual Salisbury Sculpture Show received the Improving Quality of Life Award for its unrestricted opportunities for local citizens and visitors to enjoy sculptures in Salisbury’s historic downtown and on its four college campuses – Catawba College, Livingstone College, Hood Theological Seminary and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The show also provides an opportunity to increase awareness of the visual arts throughout a diverse community, reaching out to individuals and families who historically may not have participated in arts events.
Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander said she was excited to see people from all age groups enjoying the show, including grandparents and parents taking children to see the “Steadfast” sculpture on Easy Street.
“I have personally witnessed people, from children to seniors, engaging with the pieces,” she said.
Artists from across the U.S. enter the nine-month outdoor exhibition through an open call for entries each fall. An independent selection panel chooses 14-20 pieces based on quality of form, materials and a variety of styles and themes. Each piece is placed to best complement the art and the surrounding architecture. Highly visible sculpture locations maximize opportunities for all residents to experience the art. The show has gained a following both locally and around the state.
According to the CCOG, “the Improving Quality of Life Award best leverages resources to improve the quality of life for citizens. The award recipient has implemented innovative program offering such as those that: enhance social equity; encourage community participation through public and private sector leadership; develop solutions that build on the community’s strengths and improve upon its weaknesses; or use cooperative volunteerism to maintain or expand services.”
“We were just so excited to be recognized on a regional basis for this award of excellence,” Alexander said.
