The Mount Vernon Area Arts Council (MVAAC) – in partnership with the Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation Commission – is seeking qualified artists to provide the first piece for its newly formed Mount Vernon Sculpture Trail program. Artists must submit their qualifications by May 1. MVAAC is also accepting donations for the project. For more information—including the Request for Qualifications—artists and donors can go to https://www.mvaac.org/grant-opportunities. Contributions can be made online or mailed to Sculpture Trail, P.O. Box 297, Mount Vernon, IA 52314.
Hatched over two years ago, the Mount Vernon Sculpture Trail idea was presented to the Mount Vernon City Council last fall. In response, the Council pledged $10,000 to the project. MVAAC had previously committed $5,000.
“This provides the Sculpture Trail committee with enough funds to initiate the trail in 2023,” said Marie DeVries, MVAAC president.
“MVAAC and the City are viewing this as a four-year program with the hope that one or two pieces can be installed annually,” says DeVries. “The number of pieces will depend on funding.” In addition to donations, the trail committee is seeking grants and foundation funds.
Sculptures will be located along the trail that begins in Nature Park and ends at the Elliott Baseball Field complex. The first piece will be installed near where the trail crosses First Street.
Established in 2004, MVAAC is a 501(c )3 nonprofit, volunteer-run organization whose mission is to increase the knowledge, understanding, cooperation, appreciation and practice of the arts in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon area.
MVAAC & City of Mount Vernon establish Sculpture Trail
April 6, 2023