The New Canaan Sculpture Trail

The New Canaan Sculpture Trail was created by the New Canaan Land Trust and the Carriage Barn Arts Center, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. By joining art and nature, this inaugural outdoor art exhibition promises to uniquely connect residents and visitors to our natural surroundings.

The exhibition features eight juried sculptural installations at six New Canaan Land Trust preserves, the front lawn of the New Canaan Town Hall, and the courtyard of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. The Sculpture Trail is open to the public through October 31, 2020.

The selected works represent a diverse selection of sculptures and artists. Each sculpture was evaluated by its ability to respond to the geography of the individual properties while meeting the criteria of being visually engaging, interactive, and distinctive. The mediums of the art are varied — including a series of steel frames holding acrylic sheets, welded steel, wood, rocks, and even a fallen, “upcycled” tree harvested from one of the Land Trust’s preserves. Artists throughout the New York metro area, New England, and as far as Illinois are represented.

The New Canaan Sculpture Trail has been made possible by the generous support of Harlan and Lois Anderson Foundation, which serves as the lead sponsor for the exhibition. The Anderson Foundation, along with three contributing sponsors — Stuart Higley Family Foundation, AP Construction, and the Town of New Canaan — cover the costs of artist stipends, property preparation, maintenance, and promotional expenses.

We invite you to visit to this first-of-its-kind public art exhibition in New Canaan, CT.

New Canaan Locations:

Carriage Barn Arts Center Courtyard, Waveny Park https://carriagebarn.org/

Colhoun Preserve https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/colhoun/

Greenlink Trail https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/greenlink/

Hannan
Field https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/hannan/

Livington-Higley Preserve https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/livingston-higley/

Still Pond https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/stillpond/

Watson-Symington Preserve https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/watson-symington/

New Canaan Town Hall

Work should be able to stay on site for up to four months, capable of withstanding both adverse weather exposure and unsupervised interaction from passers-by and visitors to the sites.  Artists must be 18 years of age or older.  Sales and/or commissions of sculptures are encouraged, with 60% to the artist/40% to CBAC/NCLT.  All sculptures must remain on site during the period of display.  

Proposals will be evaluated and selected by the Exhibit Advisory Committee on the basis of creativity, interactivity, and how the structure complements the landscape. While efforts will be made to accommodate requested sites, the committee will determine the final site for each installation. Advisory Committee includes:
– Carriage Barn Executive Director Hilary Wittmann
– New Canaan Land Trust Executive Director Aaron Lefland
– The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Director of Exhibitions Richard Klein
– Sculptors Guild President Thea Lanzisero

Submission deadline is passed (January 10, 2020)

Installation: The artist will be responsible for transporting, installing and de-installing their artwork.  Assistance is not available for the installation and de-installation of the work. Installation will take place in early April, de-installation in late-July (or early August).

Publicity:  The Carriage Barn Arts Center and New Canaan Land Trust will publicize the installation of the work through our regular notices and stories to media outlets, our email databases of 5,000, as well as on our websites (carriagebarn.org and newcanaanlandtrust.org) and social media.  Brochures will be produced and on-site signage identifying the artist and their work. Exhibitors are invited and encouraged to attend a grand opening celebration at the Carriage Barn Arts Center on Friday, April 24, and other on-site events/artists talks to be organized for May and June.  Artists will be interviewed and recorded as part of the interactive New Canaan Sculpture Trail guide.  

Liability and Release: Carriage Barn Arts Center (CBAC) and New Canaan Land Trust (NCLT) assume no responsibility for damage to artwork during delivery, installation, display or de-installation including, by way of example only, normal wear and tear, minor nicks or scratches, etc. Exhibitors will release CBAC and NCLT, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any and all liability for loss, damage or theft of any artwork, subject only to the insurance provision below.

Insurance: Carriage Barn Arts Center (CBAC) and New Canaan Land Trust (NCLT) maintain general liability insurance in connection with its operations.  In the event of any loss, damage or theft of any artwork, CBAC and NCLT may submit such loss, damage or theft to its insurer and its insurer will determine whether to pay any claim related to such loss, damage or theft, which shall not exceed 50% of the fair market value of the artwork (it being understood that the Exhibitor’s requested price shall not be determinative of the fair market value).  Other than such insurance, and unless the Exhibitor enters into a separate written agreement with respect to certain artwork, CBAC and NCLT shall bear no further responsibility beyond the limits of its insurance coverage (subject to deductibles and/or self-insured retentions).

Image Usage Rights: By submitting artwork for jurying, artists whose submissions are chosen for exhibition give the right to use their images, and images of their artwork, for all purposes, including promotion of the artist, promotion of the show/event, promotion of CBAC and NCLT programs, and similar uses. Such right includes printed images, as well as images on the website, social networks and other public media. Both organizations will make every effort to include artist credit with such uses.

Application deadline is January 10, 2020.  Notification of selected works will take place February 1 and installation will be in mid-April.