Art on the Corner, Downtown Grand Junction 2025

Downtown Grand Junction's Art on the Corner (AOTC) is entering its 41st year as a year-round outdoor sculpture exhibition. AOTC was one of the first of its kind in the nation and many communities have modeled their programs after it. The temporary exhibit is displayed in Grand Junction's historical creative district. 

For the upcoming year, submissions of works that advocate a sculptor’s passion, environmental, observation or cultural expression are highly encouraged. Public artists have an opportunity to share ideas, concepts and explore relationships. Public art promotes conversation, engages stewardship and develops awareness. It provides a visual enhancement that is accessible and brightens the everyday cultural experience.

The exhibition is open to all 3D sculpture artists. The sculpture must be an original creation by the artist. Interested artists are required to submit an application along with the requested supplemental materials for consideration by Thursday, July 31, 2025...

WHO WE ARE:

Downtown Grand Junction is a State Certified Creative District and manages Art on the Corner with rotating sculptures displayed in the historic downtown shopping park. The temporary sculptures are displayed throughout the Main Street and Colorado Avenue corridors, amongst many of the AOTC's permanent collection.

View this video about our program and our location.

https://youtu.be/_iDrh9pmWNA

See the current exhibition on our website. 

https://gjcreates.org/aotc/

CURATOR:
The 2025 AOTC Exhibit will be curated by Reven Swanson. 

Reven Marie Swanson began her career in 1989 following the graduation from the University of Colorado. In 1993, she became an apprentice to the monumental sculptor, Robert Mangold, and continued for 30 years. Highlighted commissions include Trust for Public Lands, the National Endowment for the Arts and Museum of Outdoor Arts. Her works reside in 38 art collections in the State of Colorado, 18 states and 3 countries. The first year she participated in Grand Junction’s Art on the Corner began in 2000 with “Moon Creature”. She has continued to join the exhibition throughout the years. “The Silly Fool” is a notable Yule marble stone carving downtown.
 

Ms. Swanson views herself as a bridge between the visual world, modern culture and further onto a greater community. She creates contemporary, one-of-a-kind works predominately in steel and fused glass. By examining the relationship between the Natural World and our modern culture, she fosters the beautiful complexity of living sustainably and embraces diversity.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS:

• Artist may apply up to 5 times.
• Each application must be submitted with 1 sculpture for consideration, showing a minimum of 3 photographs and a maximum of 5 photographs featuring all sides of the artwork.
• Multiple sculptures in one application will be cause for dismissal of that application.
• Each application must be submitted via the CaFE website at www.callforentry.org.
• Sculpture information which includes: sculpture title, material, size, (height, width, depth), weight, special installation requirements, value of sculpture, selling price, and an artist's statement about the piece
• The sculpture must be made of materials that will endure all elements and should be resistant to vandalism.

Site information:

• Sculptures will be displayed within Downtown Grand Junction's historic district.
• Various locations provide ground mounting, planter pads and steel pedestals.

Deadline and Notification of Selection

• The application and images must be submitted electronically by midnight (MST), Thursday, July 31, 2025 to https://www.callforentry.org.
• Artists will be notified of selection the week of August 18, 2025. 
   

COMPENSATION:

• All artists who are accepted will receive a $1,000 honorarium after installation.
• Two nights of lodging will also be provided for incoming artists for Friday, October 3, 2025 and Saturday, October 4, 2025.
• An Artist's Welcome Reception will be held at the Springhill Suites hotel the evening of Friday, October 3, 2025.

AWARDS:

• Best in Show Awards will be presented in the afternoon on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
• Artists will receive award payments 2-3 weeks after installation.
• The People's Choice Award will be open for voting the day of installation and will close Saturday, November 1, 2025.
• The winning People’s Choice Award artist will be notified via email.

ARTWORK SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Quality: The consideration of highest priority is the inherent artistic excellence of the art. All art must be an original creation by the artist.
• Permanence: Sculpture shall have structural and surface soundness, be resistant to theft, vandalism, and weathering, and require minimal maintenance. (This is an outdoor public art exhibit).
• Compatibility: Works of art should be compatible in style, scale, material, form, and content with the Downtown area and Grand Junction, and have a broad range of appeal to the general public.
• Public Safety: Works of art shall not create inordinate safety problems or liability problems for the general public, Downtown Grand Junction or the City of Grand Junction.

REQUIREMENTS:

• The Artist or representative is required to deliver their artwork and must be present for the installation scheduled on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 7:00 a.m.
• All sculptures must be mounted and ready for display as specified by the mounting requirements (see below).
• The artist is responsible for all expenses associated with design, labor, materials, or contracted services required to complete the work, as well as transportation of the piece to the installation site and removal of the sculpture from the Art on the Corner exhibit.
• All artwork must be available for sale to the public. The artist agrees that AOTC will handle all sales and that AOTC will retain a 25% commission for any artwork purchases during the exhibit period or as a direct result of this exhibit.
• Artists that are accepted as finalists will be required to sign an Exhibit Contract and adhere to the terms therein.
• The artwork will be on display for twelve (12) months from the date of installation.
• Art on the Corner crews will be available on October 3, 2026 to help with the removal of your sculpture.
• If the sculpture needs to be removed before or after this date, the artist will need approval from the Art on the Corner administrator and be able to remove it independently.
• Artist is responsible for all removal expenses including lodging and fuel.

MOUNTING REQUIREMENTS:
Instructions for sculpture mounted/welded to pedestals
(Steel pedestal to be provided by AOTC) 

• For sculptures less than six feet tall they must have a steel base plate attached with 1/4" steel pins or counter sunk machine screws. Minimum of (3) three per sculpture. Pins must be secured to sculpture with epoxy or automotive body filler.
• 1/4" mild steel base at least 1/2" larger than the base of the sculpture for welding. Bottom of base plate must be flush to allow the base plate to be tack welded to the pedestal.

(The Artist-not AOTC-is solely responsible for secure attachment of sculpture to base plate throughout the exhibit)

Instructions for free standing sculpture bolted to sidewalk

• Free standing sculpture (six feet or taller) mounted to either a pedestal or steel plate, which is provided by the Artist, will be bolted to sidewalk with 3/8" or 1/2" bolts
• Center of 5/8" hole must be a minimum of 1-1/2" from edge of pedestal or base plate to allow for access space
• Base of sculpture shall have a minimum (3) three 5/8" mounting holes evenly spaced for leveling and mounting to concrete

Contact Information:

For more specific information on sculpture installation, please contact Sarah at Sarah@downtowngj.org or 970-852-9041. 

 

Application Requirements:

• Artist Statement
• Artist inspiration/story regarding work submitted

Eligibility:

• Artist must live within a reasonable driving distance of Grand Junction CO
• Only 3D mediums accepted
• Artwork must be for sale
• Artwork previously shown with Art on the Corner is not eligible. Applications with previously shown work will be rejected.