01/22/2021
Pamplin City LOVEWorks Sculpture Contest
Artists sought for Pamplin City LOVEWorks Sculpture
Pamplin Area Legacy Supporters (PALS) and the town of Pamplin are launching an art contest to design, create and install a new LOVEWorks sculpture at the Pamplin Depot in Southside Virginia. The partnership of PALS and the town of Pamplin is seeking area artisans to submit their ideas for a LOVEWorks sculpture which meets the guidelines set by the Virginia Tourism Council (VTC) for this 2021 contest. The invitation to submit is open to individual artists or collaborative groups within thirty miles of Pamplin or those who have an existing connection with the Pamplin community.
For over four decades, Virginia Tourism Council has been proving that “Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.” As part of this successful marketing campaign, towns and cities all over the Commonwealth have installed LOVE letters called “LOVEWorks.” Displayed in prominent locations throughout their communities, LOVEWorks draw attention to the unique culture of a specific area with the intent of creating an opportunity for growth in tourism and commerce. These sculptures can be as simple as white block letters or stretch the imagination with letters fashioned from products that represent the local culture. Sculptures statewide have incorporated diverse materials such as brick, metal, concrete, wood, and those which reflect the locality such as crab cages, wine corks, shells, canoe paddles, and a banjo.
On its LOVEWorks website ( https://www.virginia.org/love ), VTC describes the project as, “all about love – pure and simple.” Images of LOVEWorks sculptures around the Commonwealth are physical icons representing the history, heritage, talents, industry, and culture of the areas they represent.
Our goal is to showcase local talent and celebrate what makes this area unique. It is a nationally recognized marketing program designed to draw visitors to our state and locale. LOVEWorks sculptures become tourist destinations in themselves, according to the partners and representatives from VTC. It is our hope that the LOVEWorks Sculpture will celebrate the Pamplin area and provide a fun attraction for those coming to the Depot, using the High Bridge Trail or out exploring the area.
The Pamplin area has a strong art community as evidenced by participation in the PALS Annual Art Show and Sale, the Evergreen Lavender Festival and the Heart of Virginia Festival (Farmville, VA) and membership in the VA Artisan Trail. This project has been inspired by neighboring towns who have already installed LOVEWorks sculptures: Farmville, Appomattox, Lynchburg, as well as many other towns. We hope that local artists, whether high school or college students or artist collectives or crafters will be inspired to represent the unique history, culture and heritage of Pamplin in this project.
Applications will be accepted from January 15 to March 15, 2021 with installation expected by September 1, 2021. The artist/artists will be selected by April 1, 2012 by a panel of local judges. Upon the completion of the sculpture’s installation by September 1, 2021, the selected artist(s) will be given an award of $3500.
For more information or for competition rules and entry forms, contact Mary Hinds by e- mailing her at [email protected] or c/o PALS P.O. BOX 1352, Pamplin, VA 23958
EXAMPLES:
LOVEworks around Virginia. The LOVEworks represent our communities and provide fun photo ops at Welcome Centers and special events throughout the year.
