CT's Beardsley Zoo Invites Artists to Submit Designs for Its Winter Art Fest

Calling all artists! Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo invites area artists to submit design proposals for the Zoo’s first Winter Art Festival from December 2020 through mid-March 2021. The theme of the festival is Snowmen, which includes art that represents a snowman, snowwoman, snowchild, snowpal, snowanimal or any other appropriate rendering. 

The Exhibit Advisory Committee is currently accepting proposals from artists who wish to participate. Artists may submit up to five entries each for jury by end-of-day on October 15. Design proposals will be evaluated by the Zoo’s Exhibit Advisory Committee based on creativity, interactivity and durability for the outdoor environment. The final ten artists will be selected and notified by October 19. 

Artists whose designs are selected for exhibition will be provided with a $750 commission from festival sponsors. An online public vote will be held to choose a first, second, and third place winner, with cash prizes of $250, $125, and $75 respectively. At the end of the festival, the pieces will be auctioned, and proceeds will be used to support endangered species at the Zoo.

Timeline

  •       Oct. 15: Applications Due
  •       Oct. 19: Artists Notified
  •       Nov. 20: Art Delivered and Installed at Zoo
  •       Nov. 28: Opening Day of Winter Art Festival 
  •       Nov. 28, 2020-March 15, 2021: Winter Art Festival
  •       April 2021: Art Auction

“The Zoo’s first Winter Art Festival is designed to showcase the breadth of talent in our local art community and offer an opportunity for fun family experiences outdoors,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “We’re proud to provide safe outings for families and individuals at the Zoo 362 days a year, and with the addition of a Winter Art Festival, there’s yet one more reason to visit Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.”

Applications, specifications for artwork and artist guidelines are all available online at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/winter-art-festival.html.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo:

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 98th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolf family, and Mexican grey and Red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. 

The Zoo reopened on June 1 at 50% capacity. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them. 

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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