Jersey City, New Jersey
From October 10 - 15, 150 artists, students, educators, and sculpture enthusiasts gathered in Jersey City for the 30th International Sculpture Conference. The much anticipated in-person annual gathering was enjoyed by the attendees and the rich and culturally diverse art community of Jersey City. As part of the inaugural Jersey City Art Week the city was activated and truly alive with art everywhere, from the ISC littleSculpture exhibition at 14C Art Fair, to the “Don’t Put Me in A Box” exhibition at Nimbus for Jersey City Artists Studio Tour, JCAST, and panels and keynotes open to the public, the ISC was a large part of the city-wide celebrations.
Over thirty speakers enlightened participants through panel discussions at Grounds for Sculpture (GFS), Nimbus and Art House. This year featured two Keynote Conversations, Willie Cole and Grace Kisa kicked off the conference at GFS and Tanda Francis and Martin Schmid wrapped up the conference at City Hall.
Some highlights included the Opening Reception at 150 Bay Street where attendees viewed the littleSCULPTURE Show Exhibition and checked out other exhibitions on site and visited artists in their studios. And a day of programming at Grounds for Sculpture that included keynote address, artist studio tours, tours of exhibitions and the grounds. The Outstanding Student Exhibition was open at the Johnson Atelier where attendees also enjoyed tours and a workshop. Tours are always a wonderful experience for attendees and this year was no different, trips to Dia Beacon, Storm King, Mana Contemporary and Governors Island were all highly rated. 14C Art Fair and JCAST were big hits with the attendees and everyone got to enjoy all that Jersey City has to offer.
The programming ended at Gardenship, collider space in Kearny, NJ, where a panel, studio visits and a tour all ended with a closing reception for the attendees.
Photos Program book More info
Portland, Oregon
From October 12-15, 2019, 250 artists, students, educators, and sculpture enthusiasts gathered in Portland, OR for the 29th International Sculpture Conference: The Multifaceted Maker. Participants traveled near and far, from countries such as Australia, Canada, China, England, and New Zealand, to attend.
Over 40 speakers enlightened participants through panel discussions at the Portland Art Museum and Pacific Northwest College of Art. Attendees also got to check out artists' studios, see public art, tour makerspaces, learn new techniques at hands-on demonstrations, and more. Over 40 galleries and studios opened their doors to attendees, showcasing sculpture exhibitions and their work, with some hosting special events.
Some highlights included the Opening Reception at Pacific Northwest College of Art where attendees connected with Marketplace vendors, viewed the littleSCULPTURE Show Exhibition, and checked out other exhibitions on site including work by alumni and current BFA students, Krista Cibis, MFA sculpture students, and PNCA sculpture faculty. This year featured two Keynote Speakers, Lead Pencil Studio, and Leonardo Drew. Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo of Lead Pencil Studio spoke of their multifaceted process and approach to making, showing architectural and public art projects that spanned their career. Leonardo Drew encouraged attendees to let their imagination run wild, and that creating art is a spiritual journey that will constantly evolve and evoke change. The Conference ended with a Closing Reception at Portland State University in the Littman Gallery, where guests mingled with their new friends and celebrated the 2019 ISC Outstanding Student Achievement Award winners.
Photos More
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
From October 25-28, 2018, 250 artists, students, educators, and sculpture enthusiasts gathered for the 28th International Sculpture Conference: Defining Moments in the Face of Change. Participants traveled from near and far to attend the conference in the City of Brotherly Love.
Over 35 speakers enlightened participants through dynamic panel discussions at Moore College of Art and Design, speaking on topics such as the hybridity of materials, multi-ethnic perspectives, and public art engagement. Attendees also traveled throughout the city to attend a variety of hands-on workshops and trips.
City tours gave a chance to see what Philadelphia has to offer, including trips to artist studio collectives and makerspaces, and visits to historic sites like City Hall and Eastern State Penitentiary, among others. Attendees also traveled to The Seward Johnson Atelier, where they heard technical talks, wandered the Grounds for Sculpture, and heard from the artists with works on view.
Some highlights included an opening reception at the 201 Hotel, a reception at University of the Arts, an exhibition by Jake Beckman, and a performance piece hosted by artists Christopher Olszewski and Michael Flynn where attendees were able to build their own cheesesteaks. The finale of the conference featured a profoundly moving Keynote Address by Doris Salcedo, where she illustrated how she represents survivors of sexual violence and refugees in her work. The conference ended at Moore, where guests mingled with their new friends and discussed the Keynote Address with the local art community.
Photos More
Kansas City, Missouri
From October 25-28, 2017, over 300 arts professionals gathered in Kansas City, MO for the 27th International Sculpture Conference: Intersections + Identities.
The opening reception was held at Studios Inc., where attendees viewed the littleSCULPTURE Show, opening of Underpass, an exhibition by current and former Studios Inc. residents, open artist studios, and more.
Programming was held at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where attendees heard from over 30 diverse speakers about sculpture, identity, technology, and more. Keynote speaker Willie Cole showed attendees how he works within his community, and shared insight into his thought process and how projects evolve over time. Other programming included Sculpture Parks in the Urban Core: What is the Future?, a program that featured curators and directors of sculpture parks who spoke to park development and plans for the future.
Optional trips included studio tours at Belger Crane Yard Studios, Zahner and Metalabs, a glass demonstration at Monarch Glass Studio, Gallery Hop in the Crossroads Arts District, and more. A small group visited the University of Kansas for a tour about the ISC’s history, and viewed an exhibition about Elden Tefft with introduction to the works by his son, Kim Tefft. Hands on workshops for attendees included CNC Milling, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, and an iron pour workshop at Wickerson Studios.
The closing reception was held at Belger Crane Yard, where guests got a final glimpse of the littleSCULPTURE Show and the 2017 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award exhibition.
Photos More
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
From October 15-18, 2016, about 300 arts professionals gathered in Pittsburgh, PA, for the 26th International Sculpture Conference: Sculpture in Context: Tradition and Innovation.
The conference featured dynamic panel discussions with more than 40 stimulating conference speakers, ARTSlams, tours, and social events, including tours of local artists' studios, a glass blowing workshop at Pittsburgh Glass Center, and a raku workshop at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Guests participated in workshops such as The Rivers Speak: Earth Casting Workshop lead by Christopher L. Williams, in which workshop participants assisted casting text written by local writer Sharon Dilworth using soil from the rivers, and You, Me, and the DeVille Makes Three, led by Christopher Olszewski, where participants had the opportunity to paint their "demons" on the car "skin". The conference opened with the littleSCULPTURE Show reception at the August Wilson Center.
Breakout sessions, workshops, and tours were held at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as the exhibition Helio Oiticica: To Organize Delirium at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Keynote speaker Diana Al-Hadid spoke about her work and practice, followed by a small reception in the Miller Gallery at the Purnell Center for the Arts. A reception was also held at the Mattress Factory, where attendees enjoyed food and music while checking out new works on view in the Factory Installed exhibition, as well as the permanent collection. The conference concluded with an iron pour at Carrie Furnaces, where artist Ed Parrish and the staff of Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and Rivers of Steel Arts cast artists' molds into solid iron.
Photos More
Phoenix, Arizona
Over 300 individuals gathered in Phoenix from November 4-7, 2015 for the 25th International Sculpture Conference: New Frontiers in Sculpture.
Conference participants experienced dynamic panel discussions, mentor sessions, ARTSlams, tours, and social events. Artist Suzanne Lacy kicked off the conference with a keynote address at Phoenix Art Museum, and the event closed with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and performance by CONDER/ dance at the David and Gladys Wright House, Frank Llloyd Wright’s last residential masterpiece. Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to watch sunrise and sunset shows of James Turrell Skyspaces in Scottsdale and Tempe; listen to over 28 stimulating conference speakers, share their work with others for peer critique, discover unique and experimental cultural sites such as the Cattle Track Arts Compound and Paolo Soleri’s Cosanti, amongst others, and experience the rich arts community in the region.
On November 5th, the special opening of the 2014 ISC Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition was hosted in partnership with Arizona State University, and Mary Neubauer was recognized with the 2015 ISC Outstanding Educator Award at Grant Street Studios. Attendees continued their evening with a city-wide studio and gallery hop in partnership with Artlink Inc. and Downtown Phoenix Inc.
Many attendees participated in pre-/post- event workshops including a Hands-On Neon Workshop, Textile Construction and Structures Workshop, 3D Printing and Body Scanning Workshop, Arduino Controlled Drawing Machine Workshop, Clay Sculpture Workshop with Large Diameter Extrusion, and “The Artist, The Maker, and The Administrator” Workshop.
Photos More
New Orleans, Louisiana
From October 1-4, 2014, approximately 250 sculptors and sculpture enthusiasts from around the world gathered in New Orleans for the ISC’s 24th International Sculpture Conference: Sculpture, Culture, and Community. Overall, six countries were represented at this International Conference, including: Canada, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, the UK, and the USA.
The conference featured keynote addresses by Fairfax Dorn, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ballroom Marfa, and artist Alice Aycock; 13 panel discussions with 50 speakers, held at the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel, and Xavier University; and numerous mentor sessions, ARTSlams, and workshops.
Receptions included the opening reception at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Friday Nights at the New Orleans Museum of Art, with a party at the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the littleSCULPTURE Show opening, and Art for Arts’ Sake, an annual street fair where attendees could stop into hundreds of galleries and shops.
Attendees also visited Xavier University and Tulane University for demonstrations and workshops. Additional New Orleans venues and organizations included were a performance by New Orleans’ Airlift; tours with Creative Alliance of New Orleans; the New Orleans Arts gallery district; artists’ studios; homes of local, prominent art collectors; the Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden in Chauvin, Louisiana; and the St. Claude gallery district.
Photos More
Miami, Florida
From December 1-4, 2013, more than 150 sculptors and sculpture lovers from all over the world gathered in Miami for the ISC’s 2013 International Sculpture Symposium: Makers & Shapers. The event brought together ISC members, non-members, artists, arts administrators, curators, city planners, educators, art supporters, and students. Overall, nine countries were represented at this International Conference, including: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and Nigeria, Switzerland, and the USA.
The Symposium, with daytime events based on the campus of Florida International University, included the following highlights: keynote address by Janet Echelman as well as 3 panels discussions and four additional artists talks by John Grade, Steve Tobin, Guerra de la Paz, and Ursula von Rydingsvard; mentoring sessions and ARTSlams; guided tours of the FIU campus sculpture collection, an iron pour on the FIU campus. Other activities included an opening sunset reception on the Miami River, a huge Wynwood art district gallery hop, the members’ littleSCULPTURE show and an open house event at Fountainhead Studios, Art Deco architectural walks, a South Beach food tour, Little Haiti artist studios tour, a visit to a family-run bronze foundry, as well as free VIP admission to the Art Miami and CONTEXT art fairs. Attendees were able to spend their mornings engaged in discussion relevant to current art topics including new forms of arts patronage, the art and act of making, and reclaiming the commons, and their afternoons and evenings engaged in Miami’s rich art scene.
We want to thank everyone who joined us in Miami. We also want to give a special thanks to the many sponsors whose contributions enabled us to offer such an inclusive conference, including Alfred University, Art Miami, Black Square Gallery; Bollinger Atelier; Brand Metal Works; The Chill Concept; Collection Privee; CONTEXT; David Castillo Gallery; Dina Martrani; D. Wicki Studios; Emerson Dorsch Gallery; Florida International University; The Fountainhead Residency; the artists of the Fountainhead Studios; Kelley Roy Gallery; Alejandra von Hartz Gallery ; Knight Foundation; The New Jersey Art Commission; Pan American Gallery; The Phillip and Patricia Frost Art Museum; PSH Projects; and Zadok Gallery.
Photos More
Auckland, New Zealand
From February 11-15, 2013, over 120 collectors, patrons, curators, sculptors, educators and administrators from all over the world gathered in Auckland, New Zealand for the ISC’s 2013 International Sculpture Symposium: International Dialogues. A truly international event, the Symposium attracted attendees from 15 countries as diverse as Australia, Egypt, India, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the UK, the United States, and of course, New Zealand.
Highlights during the symposium included a trip to Gibbs Farm, where attendees were able to view breathtaking site-specific installations and John and Jo Gows Connells Bay Sculpture Park. Attendees enjoyed Chris Saines remarks at the Auckland Art Gallery, collaborator and host for International Dialogue. The symposium comprised of an international roster of 21 presenters featured in five unique and thought-provoking panel discussions; trips to private home collections, artists’ studios, Zealandia Sculpture Park and Brick Bay Wine and Sculpture trail; guided and self-guided gallery hops and public art tours; and a viewing of Sculpture on the Shore, followed by a private closing reception on Matiatia Bay.
We want to thank everyone who joined us in Auckland, NZ. We also want to give a special thanks to the many sponsors whose contributions enabled us to make this Symposium possible, including ACCOR Hotels, Air New Zealand, Richard & Christine Didsbury, Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail, Alan Gibbs and The Farm, John and Jo Gow and Connells Bay Sculpture Park, Auckland Art Gallery, Trevor and Jan Farmer and a generous gift from an anonymous donor, and Media Sponsors: ArtNews New Zealand and Sculpture on the Shore.
Photos MoreChicago, Illinois | October 1-4
London, United Kingdom | April 7-9
Hamilton, New Jersey | October 9-10
Grand Rapids, Michigan | October 2-4
Seattle, Washington | October 15-17
Cincinnati, Ohio | June 21-24
Montclair, New Jersey | April 1
New Orleans, Louisiana | October 29-31
Salt Lake City, Utah | September 17-18
Hamilton, New Jersey | July 26
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | June 6-10
Houston, Texas | May 30 - June 2
Hamilton, New Jersey | October 13-16
Chicago, Illinois | May 20-23
Providence, Rhode Island | June 5-11
San Francisco, California | August 13-21
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | June 3-7
San Francisco, California | August 13-21
Yorkshire, United Kingdom | September
Oakland/San Francisco, California | August 6-15
Washington, DC | June 4-7
Toronto, Canada | May 31 - June 4
New Orleans, Louisiana | March 31 - April 3
Lawrence, Kansas | April 24-26
Lawrence, Kansas | April 27-29
Lawrence, Kansas | April 23-25
Lawrence, Kansas | May 9-11
Lawrence, Kansas | May 5-7
Lawrence, Kansas | March 26-28
Lawrence, Kansas | April 12-14
Lawrence, Kansas | March 31 - April 2
