On Saturday, August 11th, National Sculpture Society’s 85th Annual Awards Exhibition will open at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. The juried show features the figurative works of 42 contemporary sculptors and is on view through October 28.

The Annual Awards Exhibition is National Sculpture Society’s most popular show. Hundreds of artists apply to the juried competition which offers thousands of dollars in cash prizes. The variety of subject matter and media exhibited represents the diverse styles, backgrounds and disciplines of NSS members. Fellows (FNSS), Elected Members (NSS), and Associates make up the levels of sculptor membership in the organization, which is international in scope and appeal. National Sculpture Society is dedicated to promoting excellence in sculpture that is inspired by nature.

The Jury of Selection and Jury of Awards play an important part in the annual exhibition and each jury is comprised of two sculptors and one curator. This year the Jury of Selection chose the 42 works from the 204 entries received from around the world. The Jury of Selection included Richard Blake, FNSS and former NSS President; Meredith Ward, President, Meredith Ward Fine Art; and Peter Bulow, MD and sculptor.  Sculptors featured in the exhibition are: Béla Bácsi; Debra Balchen; John Belardo; Richard Blake; Marsha Brook; Lewis Brown; Fred X Brownstein; Lewis Bryden; Mary Buckman; Rick Casali; Eugene Daub; Steve Flom; Martin Gates; Neil Grant; Jim Green; James Hsieh; Darla Jackson; Chippie Kennedy; Ginny Blevins Knight; Tuck Langland; Jim Licaretz; Neal Martz; Walter Matia; Janice Mauro; Roderick Morgan; Maidy Morhous; Olga Nielsen; Joseph Noorigian; Peregrine O’Gormley; Leo E. Osborne; Victoria Parsons; Scott Penegar; Rosibel Ramirez; Ryan T. Schmidt; Tim Shinabarger; Tom Silveroli; Ed Smida; Christopher Smith; Susan Wakeen; Dale Weiler; Jeremiah D. Welsh; and Susan Zurles.

A Jury of Awards will convene after the show is installed and will include:  Natalie W. Henderson, Art Curator, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition; Bryan Rapp, Sculptor Instructor, Coastal Carolina University; and Heidi Wastweet, NSS and President of American Medallic Sculpture Association. 85^th Annual Award winners will be announced at a closing reception on October 27; the Brookgreen Gardens “People’s Choice” award will be announced at that time as well.

National Sculpture Society was founded in New York City in 1893 by a group of America’s most prominent sculptors. Its members have created much of this country’s public sculpture, coins, and medals since the late 1800s. It is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States and has been hosting exhibitions for over a century. This year, NSS celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Brookgreen Gardens was founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1931 and today is a National Historic Landmark and a garden museum with the most extensive collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world.  In addition to the gardens, Brookgreen offers year-round courses and workshops to sculptors as well as programs and tours for visitors of all ages and interests.