2019 Sculpture Trail entries are invited

The City of Park Rapids and Park Rapids Arts and Culture Commission are accepting entries for the Red Bridge Park Sculpture Trail.

The entry form is posted at http://www.prlaac.org/pages/sculpture-trail/sculpture-trail.php with an entry deadline of March 29. Artists will be notified of selection committee results by April 27 and will have until May 31 to install their works. Artists receive a $350 honorarium during installation and $150 during sculpture removal.

A dedication and guided walk of the new installations is planned June 15.

Sponsors for each of six new sculptures also are being sought and will be recognized with signage and in a brochure.

The Sculpture Trail project was initiated last spring and regarded as a successful public art display in a beautiful setting on the Fish Hook River. The Arts and Culture Commission's intent is to change the sculptures annually to expose park visitors to new works.

Thousands of park and trail users visit Red Bridge Park every year to use the paved, pedestrian-friendly trail or to relax on lunch break or at other times of the day. The park is the trailhead for the Heartland State Trail which is used year round for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, snowmobiling and other recreational activities. Red Bridge Park is located near Downtown Park Rapids and visitors can access the park from Fish Hook River and nearby Heartland Park.

The project meets three goals and objectives of the city's Arts and Culture Plan:

* promoting the creation and inclusion of art in public spaces, making it accessible to all.

* making the city a regional destination for unique arts and cultural experiences. It can be expected that art in an unexpected location will convey to park visitors and trail users that Park Rapids has much to offer as an arts community.

* adding an element of creative placemaking as an approach to improving quality of life and economic opportunity.