The Competition will take place at the 2026 Sculpture Celebration. It will be held at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT. Either on March 27 or 28, 2026.

Each selected competitor will receive a Participation Scholarship (details below).

Objective: To successfully model a bust from life (from the neck up), working from a live model. Modeling will be done in front of an audience (sculptors, patrons, and others who are attending the Sculpture Celebration).

Eligibility: Sculptors must have been born between 1990-2005.

All applicants must be citizens of or residents in the United States with a social security number.

The first prize winner may not compete the following year, but is welcome to apply again thereafter.

Schedule:

4 hours of modeling and a break for lunch.

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 12, 2026

Selection: Up to 10 sculptors will be selected to compete.

Supplies: Modeling clay, modeling stands, spray bottles and materials to build armatures are supplied. However, competitors must supply personal sculpture tools.

Expenses: Each selected competitor will receive a Participation Scholarship. Participation Scholarships are underwritten by the estate of Charlotte Geffken. The scholarships include:

• • • Three night hotel stay
    • $200 stipend
    • Registration fee for the Sculpture Celebration events
    • Copy of Heading for New York: A Sculptor’s Journey
    • A collection of sculpture tools donated by Bruner F. Barrie of Sculpture House
    • A one year Associate membership compliments of the Modern Art Foundry Foundation

Each competitor is responsible for travel, his/her own meals and daily expenses.

Submission Materials:

1. Images of six to twelve works of sculpture (up to thirty-six images total). Images should be in JPG (.jpg) format.

2. A brief resume or statement about you and your work (under My Profile in Entry-Thingy)

To submit: 

Starting in October 2025, applications can be submitted through Entry-Thingy.

NSS welcomes applications from all sculptors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status, education or disability.

Jury of Selection: The jury will consist of three sculptors.

Awards Jury: Jurors will be looking for originality and talent, inspiration and personal interpretation – not just proficiency in replicating the model.

Awards:

Richard McDermott Miller Prize of $3,000

Roger T. Williams Prize of $1,500

Walter & Michael Lantz Prize of $750

Richard McDermott Miller (1922-2004), known as the Figure Sculptor of Soho, served as president of National Sculpture Society from 1997-2000.  He left a substantial bequest to the National Sculpture Society, the largest in its history. His legacy and the endowment he provided will continue to support education programs that promote excellence in sculpture in perpetuity.