On Saturday, August 8th, National Sculpture Society’s 87th Annual Awards Exhibition opened at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. The juried show features the figurative works of 28 contemporary sculptors and is on view through October 25.  The 14 prize winners from the show will then exhibit their work in the Award Winners Exhibition in the NSS Gallery from November 30, 2020 to February 5, 2021 in New York City.

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. Highlights of the exhibition include a colorful bathing beauty, a supremely composed squirrel, a Native American holy man, and a maquette of a nationally touring monument of Harriet Tubman.

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 28 works from the 460 entries received from around the world. The Jury of Selection included John Coleman, Sculptor and NSS Fellow; Bruce Gagnier, Sculptor and New York Studio School Instructor; and Peter Trippi, Editor in Chief, Fine Art Connoisseur. Sculptors featured in the exhibition are: Gegham Abrahamyan, Douglas Aja, John Belardo, Ezra Bookstein, Lindley Briggs, Steven Alden Carpenter, Kevin Chambers, LeaAnn Cogswell, John Coleman, Angela Mia De la Vega, Mick Doellinger, Morgan Dummitt, Martin Gates, Lee Hutt, Leslie Hutto, Joshua Koffman, Kristina Kossi, Dave LaMure, Jr., Roger Martin, Janice Mauro, George McMonigle, Thomas Player, David Richardson, Heather Rison, Brittany Ryan, Sandy Scott, Jeremiah D. Welsh and Wesley Wofford.

A Jury of Awards will convene after the show is installed and will include Paul Rhymer, FNSS; Logan Woodle, Sculptor and Assistant Professor of Sculpture, Coastal Carolina University and a third juror to be determined. The 87th Annual Award winners will be announced at a closing reception on October 24; 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.

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.