Find Your Chair

WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

The Chain of Parks Art Festival is announcing an exciting new public art exhibit and competition leading up to the festival weekend! Up to 15 local and regional artists will create upcycled chair sculptures, to display throughout Downtown Tallahassee from March 19 – April 19, 2024. All sculptures will be transferred to the Festival for the exhibit conclusion and silent auction benefiting LeMoyne Arts on April 20 & 21, 2024.

The chair has been used since antiquity, although for many centuries it was a symbolic article of status and dignity rather than a functional tool for ordinary use. In art, a chair can symbolize community, the need for rest, hierarchy, loss, or the hope of a return. A chair can imply the absence of a loved one, as well as a place for comfort. A chair is a familiar object, not only used for function but also to represent one’s personal style. A chair can be a symbol of power from a king’s throne to a seat at the head of the table. A chair can become a familiar “friend” after a hard day and a place to relax while visiting with a loved one. 

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? 
The jury is looking for functional, whimsical, creative, thought-provoking, unique, sustainable, weather-resistant, chair sculptures to be on display for 30 days and be auctioned during the festival weekend. We strongly encourage utilizing upcycled materials to help with our Greening efforts. Mixed media is welcome! 

Design themes to be community-friendly, and focus on local nature, landmarks, colorful abstract designs, historic and life-cycle symbolism, and anything Tallahassee-friendly. In celebration of Tallahassee’s Bicentennial, any designs that specifically highlight Tallahassee landmarks, heritage, and culture will qualify to receive a Bicentennial Bonus prize.

Artists are welcome to submit as many design concepts as they would like, to be reviewed by the Chain of Parks Art Festival Review Committee. This application is looking for design proposals at this time, we do not expect a completed piece. 

Feel free to join forces and create your masterpiece with a partner or small group! Just make sure to add all their information to the application so we can give them proper credit within our marketing efforts. This information can also be emailed to powell@lemoyne.org once you start creating if you’re not sure right now. 

LeMoyne Arts can provide traditional folding metal chairs that are ready to be transformed into beautiful works of art! Artists can utilize these chairs as their base OR construct the piece from their own chair. 

PAYMENT DETAILS & BENEFITS: 
Each selected artist will receive a $100 stipend upon delivery of the sculpture and will also qualify for the $100 People’s Choice Award and the $50 Bicentennial Bonus Prize for specific Tallahassee Bicentennial content.

•  $100 stipend to cover material and other expenses & a free chair base (if requested)
•  Extensive exposure as a participating artist in the public exhibit
• A chance to win “Best of Show” for the “Find Your Chair Exhibit” with $100 Award
• A chance to win the “Bicentennial Bonus Award” of $50

I’M NOT A SCULPTOR, HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
LeMoyne Arts can provide traditional folding metal chairs that are ready to be transformed into beautiful works of art! Artists can utilize these chairs as their base OR construct the piece from their own chair.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Deadline/Desing Proposal: Thursday, Feb.1, at 11:59pm
• Jury Result Notification: By Friday, Feb. 2
• Progress/Behind-the-Scenes Photos: Monday, Feb. 26
• Completed Sculpture Drop-off at LeMoyne Arts: Friday, March 16, or Saturday, March 17 between 11-6pm.
• Chair Sculpture Public Exhibit: Tuesday, March 19 – Friday, April 19
• Chair Sculpture Silent Auction & Awards Voting: April 20 (10am-5pm) and April 21 (10am-2pm). Awards will be announced at 3pm on Sunday.