New Bedford’s annual Seaport Art Walk was founded in 2013 by artist Jessica Bregoli, and was the city’s first large format outdoor public art installation. Each summer, sculpture and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District.
2020 Seaport Art Walk
To honor the anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the unfinished legacy of the women’s suffrage movement, Seaport Art Walk is proud to announce that this year’s theme celebrates women and is inspired by “Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the SouthCoast”, a project of New Bedford Whaling Museum.
‘Lighting the Way: Historic Women of the SouthCoast’ explores the historical impact of women from the region and is unearthing remarkable stories of women who have shaped their SouthCoast communities. Original works of art are being solicited that highlight the themes, accomplishments, or stories amplified through profiles on historicwomensouthcoast.org. Works of art that highlight women who are civically engaged are especially encouraged.
Seaport Art Walk 2020 is a collaboration with New Bedford Whaling Museum, and in partnership with New Bedford Creative, the City of New Bedford’s Tourism Department, New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, UMASS Dartmouth’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), and Bristol Community College (BCC) Visual and Performing Arts Department. This program is supported in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund.
Our esteemed panel of jurors includes Jessica Bregoli, Founder & Curator, Seaport Art Walk, Dr. Christina Connett Brophy, Chief Curator, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Abigail Hevey, Director of Development, New Bedford Port Authority, Mary S. Rapoza, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Beaches, City of New Bedford, and Christina Turner, Director of Education, New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Seaport Art Walk seeks sculptural pieces or murals suitable for an outdoor location to be installed for four months minimum along the working waterfront, a high traffic zone for tourists and residents of New Bedford. The project theme is Women. Sculptures will be assessed on their concept, design, craft, and ability to sustain a four month lifespan. Proposals must include maquette, written description including materials, scale range, installation methods, and fee to execute. Artists may submit works already created or re-purposed. Applicants may submit a maximum of three proposals. The fee for each selected artist will range from $200 to $650.
This year’s call for proposals is due on Friday, May 8, 2020 by midnight. Submit a proposal by email with subject heading: ‘2020 Seaport Art Walk – LAST NAME’ to Margo Saulnier at artsnewbedford@gmail.com.
Selected artists will be notified in June and coordinate installation in July, 2020. Artists are expected to maintain and upkeep their works of art during this time, and coordinate the removal October 9-12.