“Dexter Art Gardens” is an annual sculpture exhibit sponsored by the Dexter Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee. 4 new outdoor sculptures will be juried into the current collection and displayed for 1 year. The artworks will be installed on concrete pads in high profile locations in historic Dexter, Michigan. In the 2015-2016 the display cycle, the City purchased one of the sculptures. Additional purchases may be made in the 2017-2018 cycle. These four new sculptures will also have complimentary garden displays designed by local garden enthusiasts to enhance the artwork.

The submitted sculptures shall be transportation themed with special attention given to bicycle and automotive sculptures.

Online and print brochures will be provided to the public throughout the year to inspire self-guided walking tours of the exhibit. These brochures will also be distributed during the well-known annual festival “Dexter Daze” and the “Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival”. All work must be for sale and remain in the exhibit for the entire year (May 2017 – June 2018).

Each artist accepted will receive a $700 stipend. The deadline for submissions is March 1st, 2017

Selection Criteria
Sculptures must be representational. Entries will be critiqued on artistic merit, originality and \ technical quality. Finalists will have to meet standards of public safety and durability of design and materials. Freestanding sculptures only will be considered. Work must be original, created by the artist, for sale, and remain in the exhibit for one year. Artists selected will be notified by the week of April 15th. The artists selected will be contacted by the City of Dexter by phone or email. The list of finalists will be announced on City of Dexter’s website and Facebook.