Moores Creek National Battlefield Call for Art

Moores Creek Call to Artists, February 6 through March 24. Moores Creek National Battlefield is inviting local artists to submit original artwork for a new wayside exhibit. — Moores Creek Call to Art
Pender Arts Council

Moores Creek National Battlefield
Request for Public Art Submissions
February 6 - March 24, 2023

Moores Creek National Battlefield (MCNB) and Pender Arts Council (PAC) are excited to partner in this call for artists! Moores Creek National Battlefield is creating a new recreational public use area in the park. The site will be open for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. An informational sign will be placed at the site, featuring an artistic representation of select fish and wildlife; local flora and fauna. The selected artwork will be graphically reproduced on a fiberglass sign (24”x36”), known as a wayside exhibit. This exhibit will be part of a greater exhibit project highlighting recreational opportunities at Moores Creek National Battlefield in the park’s new fish camp area. This exhibit has the potential to be kept in place for 20-30 years. Interested artists are encouraged to visit Moores Creek National Battlefield to see the installation site. The park contact is Jason Collins, Chief of Interpretation, (910-283-5591 x2222 or jason_m_collins@nps.gov).

The call is open to Pender and New Hanover County artists 18 years and older. Artists may submit their original two-dimensional (2-D) work in the medium of their choice. For questions or comments concerning the art and submission process, contact the Pender Arts Council at: penderartscouncil@gmail.com.

Winning artwork will be selected by a panel representing Pender Arts Council and staff from Moores Creek Battlefield. The winning artist will be awarded $500.00. There will also be a People’s Choice Award and Honorable Mentions. Selected artists will be invited to participate in a show in Patriot’s Hall that will be open to the public and serve as a focal area for park events. For more information, please visit: www.nps.gov/mocr or contact the Pender Arts Council: penderartscouncil@gmail.com.

Important Dates and Times

February 6th - Call for Artists Opens
March 24th - Artist Submissions Close
April 22nd - Winners are publicly announced during Junior Ranger Day Celebration at the park
June 24th - Community Day Celebration and unveiling of the new exhibit
June 24 - February 2024 - Participants Show in Patriot’s Hall

Terms & Conditions

Winning art will be available for graphic reproduction by the sign company.
Winning art will be on display in the Visitor Center through February 2024.
PAC and MCNB maintain the rights to use photos of the art and event for marketing and promotion.
The winning selection is decided by the selected panel and is final.
Artists must submit digital photos for consideration by March 24th.
Artwork for the Patriot’s Hall Show must be delivered to MCNB by June 17th.
Artwork must be ready to hang.
All artwork will be displayed through the park’s anniversary weekend in February 2024.

Requirements for Art

For the fish camp artwork, we are looking for a piece of art that features a view as if you were half above and half under water, similar to being at an aquarium. Imagine you are looking through the glass and can see different, distinct layers. For example, on the creek floor, you would see shrimp. Above the creek bottom, swimming, you would see 3-4 different species of fish, such as the largemouth bass, bream, warmouth, and gar. Above the water’s surface, you would see the partial body of an alligator (possibly only his head). Along the shoreline, you would see a snowy egret and possibly a snake. You would also see plants, reeds, as well as several cypress trees with knees exposed. Possibly on one of the exposed branches, you would see either an eastern box turtle or a striped mud turtle sunning itself. In addition, near the water, an American bullfrog should be present. See pictures at the bottom of the announcement for more information about these animals.

It is up to the artist to decide the amount of each animals and their placement, but the most important thing is to have all these features listed and the side view as if we were looking from the side through a pane of glass (in profile). Below are listed all the animals and the cypress trees along the banks that we want included in the artwork along with their respective photos. We would encourage you to come out to the park and visit the fish camp and get a feel for the area and the landscape. We look forward to seeing all the artwork and the different visions that are brought forward. Feel free to visit the Moores Creek National Battlefield Fish Camp area to get a feel for the area. If you're not sure where the fish camp is located, please stop by the MCNB Visitor Center (40 Patriots Hall Dr., Currie, NC 28435).

Please submit images of your artwork by Friday, March 24, 2023, along with your contact information, to penderartscouncil@gmail.com. Include Moores Creek Art in the subject line.