Call for Qualifications – the Sculpture at Brickyard Park

CALL FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FOR KINGSPORT, TN
The Rotary Club Sculpture at Brickyard Park

The Rotary Club of Kingsport, TN, in collaboration with the Kingsport Public Art Committee, Edens Investment, and Barge Design Solutions, Inc., is seeking qualifications from artists or art teams for the commission of a centennial sculpture to commemorate the every-day heroes of the community at the traffic circle currently in development for the Brickyard Village.

ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is open to all professional artists over the age of 18 with previous public sculpture experience. Refer to the Selection Criteria listed below for additional requirements.

BUDGET: Up to three finalists will be selected to develop concept proposals for this project. The total project budget for the selected commission is not to exceed $50,000. Each finalist will be paid a $500 stipend for his/her proposal. The selected artist/art team will be paid up to $48,500 for the commissioned work. The selected artist/art team will be responsible for own travel costs, materials, housing, and personal liability insurance. Finalists will be required to present their work to the Selection Committee and will not be reimbursed for travel costs or hotel accommodations. If a finalist prefers to present their concept proposal virtually, then arrangements will be made to do so.

DEADLINE: August 8, 2022

Download the entire brief here >>  BRICKYARD RFQ Final.docx

Apply for Christmas Connection 2022

Open Call for Vendors for The 2022 Christmas Connection!

OPEN CALL for Art and Craft Vendors for Christmas Connection 2022!

 

Kingsport, TN – Calling all artists, artisans, creatives, and craftspeople of all trades! Applications are being taken for those wishing to exhibit in this 2-day event, taking place on November 11th & 12th, 2022 at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium.

“The Christmas Connection – Artistic Creations Fair” is sponsored by the City of Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts and is celebrating its 43rd year of artistic creations in 2022!  A very well established cultural event in Kingsport, the event hosts the region’s best craftspeople, artisans, artists, and creatives.  People from our region and beyond look forward to The Christmas Connection year after year.

Application deadline is July 1, 2022.  There is no cost to apply. Christmas Connection is by invitation only.  All applications are reviewed by a selection committee, taking various factors into consideration in order to create a high quality, attractive show having a good mix of artistic and crafting creations.

This year’s Christmas Connection will take place the second weekend in November, due to elections being held at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium.

2022 DATES/HOURS:

FREE Admission to the public!

Fri. Nov. 11:  10AM – 7PM

Sat. Nov. 12:  10AM – 7PM

 

Applications deadline is July 1, 2022.

Here is a link to download the 2022 application packet: 

>> Christmas Connection 2022 Application

 

Sharable link to Christmas Connection page:

https://arts.kingsporttn.gov/community-engagement/christmas-connection/

 

Apply for Christmas Connection 2022

Apply for Christmas Connection 2022

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About the Office of Cultural Arts

The Office of Cultural Arts (OCA), part of the City of Kingsport, connects, coordinates and engages the public with a creative community. We operate the Renaissance Arts Center, the Farmer’s Market, the Kingsport Carousel, Kingsport Public Art Program, Engage Kingsport Performing Arts Series, and a broad range of support to the area’s arts organizations. The OCA works in tandem with Engage Kingsport, Inc., the “Friends of the Cultural Arts” group, a private, volunteer-led 501(c)3 non-profit community organization.

 

About the City of Kingsport

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 53,000) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern U.S.  The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,500 acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory.  Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives.  While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.”

 

KingsportIronPour'22

(Delayed Start Time!) The 2022 Iron Pour in Kingsport, TN … using white-hot iron!

UPDATE!  Due to heavy rain and wind, the start time will be delayed today, working around the rain.  Thank you for your patience!  The sculpture artists will begin around 1:00 to start heating up the furnace.  Master Sculpture Artist, Jim Gallucci will be on hand to narrate and explain the process during the next couple hours.  3:00 is the new estimate on actual pour time!

You don’t want to miss being a part of this! The 2022 Kingsport Iron Pour will take place on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, with workshops taking place in the weeks prior. See below for details.

Kingsport's Iron Pour

The 2022 Kingsport, TN Iron Pour… using white-hot iron! FLAMES & FAMILY FUN!

You’re not just invited to watch, you’re invited to make your own art. On Saturday, May 7th, the furnace will roar, crackle, flame, and spark with power and excitement! Join us for an iron pour demonstration conducted by Sculpture artist Tripp Jarvis and a team of master sculptors as they heat 500 pounds of iron until it’s white hot, then pour it into molds made in the Scratch Mold Workshop. Let the fireworks begin!

To watch, it’s free! To participate by creating your own scratch mold, it’s only $15. Thru one of the scratch mold workshops, you can create your own piece of Iron Art!  See the details below to sign up!

The Iron Pour

 On Saturday, May 7th, at 12 Noon, the sculpture team will begin heating up the iron!  Join us at 12 Noon on Saturday as the sculpture team narrates the steps of the process of preparing the iron and heating the iron to 3000 degrees!  You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to the master sculpture artists.  1:00 is the projected time to begin the pouring into the scratch molds. Be sure to stay to watch your piece being poured!

Popcorn will be available during the show!

Venue: The Inventor Center 118 Shelby St., Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

 

Scratch Mold Workshops:
(Classes usually fill up quickly, sign up early for the best slots)

Direct link to ticket sales:     https://secure.rec1.com/TN/kingsport-tn/catalog/index?filter=Y2F0ZWdvcnklNUIyNDQ2NyU1RD0xJnNlYXJjaD0mbG9jYXRpb24lNUIzMjU5MiU1RD0xJnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPQ==

Class option 1: Thursday, April 14, 10:00am – 12 noon

Class option 2: Thursday, April 21, 10:00am – 12 noon

Class option 3: Friday, April 29, 10:00am – 12 noon

Class option 4: Friday, April 29, 6:00pm – 8:00pm (*SOLD OUT*)

Class option 5: Saturday, April 30, 10:00am – 12 noon (*SOLD OUT*)

Class option 6: Friday, May 6, 10:00am – 12 noon

Class option 7: Friday, May 6, 6:00pm – 8:00pm (*SOLD OUT*)

Class option 8: Saturday, May 7th, 10:00am – 12 noon (*SOLD OUT*)
(This is the morning of the Iron Pour event. All molds must be completed no later than 12:30pm)

Scratch Mold Example

Scratch Mold Example

Workshop Details:

Create your own iron artwork by making a Scratch Mold. Suitable for beginners and students of all skill level, you’ll scratch unique designs into an 8-inch sand mold which will be cast with molten iron by professional artists during the main event (held on Saturday, May 7th). At the end of the night, take home your one-of-a-kind art. The workshop cost includes all materials needed for the workshop and the casting of your piece in iron on May 7th during the main event. Rain or shine. Advance registration required. $15 scratch block mold. Adults 16+, Ages 6-15 are welcome to participate if accompanied by an adult.

Every one of all ages, is invited to watch the Iron Pour for free on Saturday May 7th!  The show starts at 12noon, with the pouring taking place approximately 1:00pm.

Click the link below to reserve your spot!

Direct link to ticket sales:

https://secure.rec1.com/TN/kingsport-tn/catalog/index?filter=Y2F0ZWdvcnklNUIyNDQ2NyU1RD0xJnNlYXJjaD0mbG9jYXRpb24lNUIzMjU5MiU1RD0xJnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPQ==

Please call the Office of Cultural Arts with any questions: 423-392-8414   More information online:  www.EngageKingsport.com

KingsportIronPour'22This Scratch Mold Workshop and Iron Pour is hosted by Engage Kingsport and the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at the Inventor Center located at 118 Shelby Street. The Kingsport Iron Pour is made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  Thank you TAC!

Kingsport’s 13th Annual Sculpture Walk is a Sight to See

Kingsport’s 13th Annual Sculpture Walk is a Sight to See

When the Office of Cultural Arts (OCA) put out a national call for artists for the show, artists all across the country responded.

“With an artist from New Jersey and an artist from Key West, Florida, we are proud that we can bring a diverse group of artists to exhibit in the show,” said Hannah Powell, Coordinator for the Cultural Arts program. “Our department strives to not only highlight the local talent that we have in the Kingsport area, but we also like to import various artists’ work to share diverse creativity with the community of Kingsport.”

This year, the OCA is bringing eight new sculptures to the downtown area of Kingsport. Two of the artists are new to the exhibition, while two of the artists have exhibited in Kingsport before.

“For those who really enjoyed C.R. Gray’s ‘Popsicles’ at the Kingsport Farmers Market, I’m sorry to report the sculpture has been replaced,” said Powell. “The good news is, it has been replaced by another one of the same artist’s treasures that is perfect for the market location: ‘Watermelons.’”

Jim Gallucci is also returning, this time bringing two arches, one at City Hall, “Monarch Migration,” and one on the corner of East Market and Commerce Street, “A Flock of Blackbirds.”  Powell hopes that those visiting the art galleries like Cindy Saadeh, Suzanne Justis and Up Against the Wall will find his blackbirds arch to be a nice touch to the artistry found on Market Street.

New artist, Nathan Leslie, comes from North Carolina. Three of his sculptures can be found along the downtown strip of Broad Street. Two, “Family” and “Growth,” will be at the intersection with Main Street, and his third one, “Joy,” is a pop of color in the City Hall garden along Church Circle.

The other new artist is Mary Angers of New Jersey. Mary brings a sculpture called “Twisted” at Broad and Center Streets that resembles the line structure found in the Noland Plan for the city. Her second sculpture, “Timeless,” can be found on Broad Street at its intersection with New Street.

Though sculptures have been delivered and installed throughout the month of October, the official opening of the exhibition is October 23 with a reception at City Hall, 415 Broad Street.  Shuttle rides to view the sculptures will begin at 10 a.m. Maps will also be provided for those who prefer to walk. Charlie Brouwer, guest juror, will be visiting to share his insight into the artwork he chose for show.

For more information on the Sculpture Walk, please visit www.EngageKingsport.com  or call 423-392-8414.

Gallucci

 


previewimage.mapThe public is welcome to walk the Sculpture Walk at your own pace.

Map of the SW13 Sculptures with brief bios is available for download viewing HERE:

Sculpture Walk XIII map and brief bios-2 pages

 

 

 

 

 


The Office of Cultural Arts (OCA), part of the City of Kingsport, connects, coordinates and engages the public with a creative community. We operate the Renaissance Arts Center, the Farmer’s Market, the Kingsport Carousel, the Carousel Fine Craft Show, Kingsport Public Art Program, Engage Kingsport Performing Arts Series and a broad range of support to the area’s arts organizations. The OCA works in tandem with Engage Kingsport, Inc., the “Friends of the Cultural Arts” group, a private, volunteer-led 501(c)3 non-profit community organization.

About the City of Kingsport

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 53,000) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern U.S. The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,500-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.”

Iron Pour in Kingsport! FUN, FOOD, FLAMES & white-hot Iron

You don’t want to miss being a part of this!  The 2021 Kingsport Iron Pour will take place on Saturday, May 8th, 2021, with workshops taking place in the weeks prior.  You have a chance to create your own iron artwork! See details below.

You’re not just invited to watch, you’re invited to make your own art.  On Saturday, May 8th, the furnace will roar, crackle, flame, and spark with power and excitement!  Join us for an iron pour demonstration conducted by Sculpture artist Tripp Jarvis and a team of master sculptors as they heat 500 pounds of iron until it’s white hot, then pour it into molds made in the Scratch Mold Workshop.  Let the fireworks begin!

To watch, it’s free!  To participate by creating your own mold, it’s only $15 to create your own Iron Art thru one of the workshops.  (see below for details)

Food Trucks will be on site with us as the iron pour is heating up!  11:30am – 3pm is projected time of the fun!  

Venue:  The Inventor Center    118 Shelby St., Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

 

Scratch Mold Workshops:

Class option 1:  Friday, April 30th, 10am – 12 noon  (Update: SOLD OUT!)

Class option 2:  Friday, April 30th, 6pm-8pm (Update: SOLD OUT!)

Class option 3:  Friday, May 7th, 10am – 12 noon (Update: SOLD OUT!)

Class option  4:  Friday, May 7th,  6pm-8pm (Update: SOLD OUT!)

Class option 5:   Saturday, May 8th, 10am – 12 noon  (This is the morning of the Iron Pour event.  All molds must be completed no later than 1pm) (Update: SOLD OUT!)

Workshop:

Create your own iron artwork by making a Scratch Mold.  Suitable for beginners and students of all skill level, you’ll scratch unique designs into an 8-inch sand mold which will be cast with molten iron by professional artists during the main event (held on Saturday, May 8th).  At the end of the night, take home your one-of-a-kind art.  The workshop cost includes all materials needed for the workshop and the casting of your piece in iron on May 8th during the main event.  Rain or shine.  Advance registration required.  $15 scratch block mold.  (ALL WORKSHOPS ARE SOLD OUT – But join us for the IRON POUR demonstration on May 8th!)

Visit www.EngageKingsport.com & click on “Buy Tickets” at the top to reserve your spot!  Call 423-392-8414 with any questions.

Direct link to ticket page:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iron-pour-scratch-mold-workshop-tickets-148818848181?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

 

This Scratch Mold Workshop and Iron Pour is hosted by Engage Kingsport and the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at the Inventor Center located at 118 Shelby Street, and is made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

About the Office of Cultural Arts

The Office of Cultural Arts (OCA), part of the City of Kingsport, connects, coordinates and engages the public with a creative community. We operate the Renaissance Arts Center, the Farmer’s Market, the Kingsport Carousel, the Carousel Fine Craft Show, Kingsport Public Art Program, Engage Kingsport Performing Arts Series and a broad range of support to the area’s arts organizations. The OCA works in tandem with Engage Kingsport, Inc., the “Friends of the Cultural Arts” group, a private, volunteer-led 501(c)3 non-profit community organization.

About the City of Kingsport

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 53,000) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern U.S. The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,500-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.”

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NOW ONLINE – Kingsport Carousel Gift Shop

 

SHOP ONLINE HERE!

A portion of our gift shop items are now for sale ONLINE!

Follow this link to shop digitally:  ONLINE ORDERING   Shop with us even if you can’t make it to see us 🙂

Thank you for your purchase!

The Kingsport Carousel is a totally renovated 1956 Allen Herschell Carousel located inside the temperature controlled “Pal’s Roundhouse” at 350 Clinchfield Street Kingsport, TN (at the corner of E. Center Street & Clinchfield Street in Downtown Kingsport). We are currently closed, but hope to reopen soon.  For updates to Carousel Schedule, please call 423-343-9834.

 

Downtown Kingsport Welcomes New Mural ‘Silent Skies’

Downtown Kingsport Welcomes New Mural
‘Silent Skies’

A new flock of birds has landed in Kingsport—painted birds, that is. The installation of the “Silent Skies Mural Project,” which features portraits of all 678 birds on the endangered species list, began in downtown Kingsport, Tuesday, February 5.

This 24-foot by 50-foot vinyl-printed mural will hang at the corner of Market and Broad Streets, where the “Humanae” mural once hung. The “Silent Skies Mural Project” is a representation of an installation that opened in Vancouver, Canada, last August. That installation featured the original 678 portraits on 8-inch by 8-inch canvases, arranged in a 100-foot mural. Artists for Conversation, a Canada-based non-profit that promotes conservation through wildlife art, launched the collaborative project with an international call for artists.

Kingsport’s own Suzanne Barrett Justis is a Signature Member of Artists for Conversation, and “Silent Skies” features six of her portraits. The windows of her gallery, Suzanne Barrett Justis Fine Art, look out directly onto the wall where the mural will hang. Tuesday morning, she was out on the street excitedly taking pictures of the mural installation, which was done by end-of-day.

“It’s exciting for me as an artist,” Justis said, “but I hope it’s exciting for Kingsport to say, ‘Hey, we have this mural, and one of our own is on it.’”

The idea of printing the mural on vinyl was Justis’ idea. A longtime wildlife and conservation artist who originally studied animal science, Justis believed it was important to bring this mural to as many places and people as possible. While the original installation has hung in Vancouver, Arizona, and is now set to travel to China, Justis is working hard to bring vinyl versions to cities and zoos across the country. The Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts worked with Justis to make Kingsport the very first place to host the vinyl installation.

“This mural is bringing awareness to the 678 endangered species of birds,” Justis said. “It’s also letting international artists shine, and it has a call to action to learn more about each species.”

The mural invites people to visit http://www.artistsforconservation.org/ where they can view each bird portrait online. Prints of each portrait are available for purchase, and the proceeds will benefit conservation education among youth, as well as bird conservation.

The “Silent Skies Mural Project” will hang in downtown Kingsport for six months. For more information, please visit http://www.artistsforconservation.org/.

Iron Pour image example b

Have you seen a scratch mold workshop and iron pour?

Welcome all to our scratch mold workshop
and iron pour!

In about an hour and a half attendees who take part in this workshop will be able to make a sand mold of their design that will then be filled with molten iron forming a lasting metal positive image. You make your own design! Bring your ideas with you. Designs can be anything from your initials, your house number to patterns with complex designs. You will be making a one-of-a-kind creation out of iron. Jim and his crew will give you instruction and help you out with the mold making. This scratch mold workshop and iron pour is hosted by Engage Kingsport and the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts at the Inventor Center located at 118 Shelby Street.

On March 9th between 9 am and 3 pm there will be a scratch mold workshop. The estimated time for the iron pouring to begin is at 3:30pm. While the iron pour finishes up we will have a band and a food truck for your dinner and your entertainment.

To participate in this workshop your options for both days are purchasing:

  • A scratch mold- $35 per person,
  • A scratch mold and dinner –  $50 per person
  • Just the food for $20
  • An additional scratch mold may be added (limit 1 per person) for $25.

Band

Donnie and the Dryheavers
Beth Snapp

Food

A.M. Kingsport

To see an example of an scratch mold workshop and iron pour check out this video from the AbOmingOg Intl. Arts Collective iron pour event by clicking here.

To reserve your spot for this event CLICK HERE
Hope to see you there!

Christmas Connection 2018

Here Comes Christmas Connection 2018!

It’s Almost Christmas Connection Time!

 Kingsport’s 39th Annual Christmas Connection, a free admission event, is to be held November 9 – 11 at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Sponsored by the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Christmas Connection hosts some of the region’s best arts and crafts vendors.

The Civic Auditorium will be filled with holiday wreaths & floral arrangements, primitive & country crafts, Christmas ornaments, pottery, stained glass, woodcrafts, handmade soaps and lotions, fabric crafts, needlework, doll clothing, jewelry, dichroic glass, handmade greeting cards and paper art, leather crafts, paintings, figurines, candles, baked goods and much much more!

In 2018, courtesy of Bubba’s Book Store, several regional authors will be on hand each day to sign their books in the Civic Auditorium West Side.  Also in attendance this year are the artists from Kingsport’s Senior Artisan Center & Senior Center. Their crafts will be set up in the Civic Auditorium West Room.

Outside, attendees will find kettle corn and fried food items available for purchase. Country favorites will be served on stage at the Christmas Connection Café, and baked goods from Kingsport Ballet and Suzuki Talent Education will be at the entrance of the Civic Auditorium.

With the holidays fast approaching, Christmas Connection is a great place to find unique gifts and support master craftsmen in our region.

DATES/HOURS:
Friday             Nov. 9              12 Noon – 7 PM
Saturday        Nov. 10                10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday           Nov.11              12 Noon – 4 PM

 

For more information on the Christmas Connection event, please visit www.EngageKingsport.com or call 423-392-8414.

hades of Blue Jazz Ensemble

*SOLD OUT* Presenting the USAF Band of Mid-America’s Shades of Blue at the Renaissance Center

This veteran’s day, the USAF Band of Mid-America’s Shades of Blue honoring those who have have fought to defend our freedom. This jazz ensemble will present a concert at the Renaissance Center Theatre in Kingsport, TN on Nov 11, 2018 at 2:30 pm. The concert is now SOLD OUT.

The Renaissance Center is located at 1200 E Center St, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660. For any additional information please contact bandofmidamerica@gmail.com or the Office of Cultural Arts at 423-392-8414.