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McCorkle Place to Host Sculpture on the Green

The event is a chance for sculptors to show and sell their pieces and to receive merit awards for their work.

That is when the third annual Sculpture on the Green will take over the historic area, filling it with more than 50 original sculptures by regional and local artists.

"The purpose (of the event) is twofold," said Karen Slotta of the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission. "Artists get the opportunity to get their work out there, and the public has the opportunity to see what regional artists are doing."

The public is free to wander through the various sculptures featured in Sculpture on the Green, which will be held in conjunction with the Apple Chill Festival.

Twenty-five artists are preregistered for the event, but many more are expected to arrive Saturday morning for on-site registration. Many participants bring up to five pieces to the event.

Though some classical sculptures will be on display, judging by past entries, many will take a more modern approach with installation pieces, fabric art and interactive works.

"My piece is about how humans interact with nature, how we set up an environment in nature. There's a lack of understanding there," said Val Martinez, who will present an installation work involving several of the historic trees in McCorkle Place.

Several of the sculptures will be for sale to the public, providing artists with public exposure to both those seeking out art and festivalgoers who simply happen upon the exhibit.

Beyond just the chance for public viewing and purchase, artists will have a opportunity to be specially recognized at the event. Four $500 merit awards will be awarded at the event for extraordinary artistic accomplishments, as judged by Mark Brown, former president of the Tri-State Sculptors Educational Association.

"The judging will be very subjective, (honoring) what the judge feels is a work deserving of special recognition," Slotta said.

Beyond subjectivity, the variance in styles found at the event will make the judging difficult but the event a greater artistic experience.

Slotta said that beyond any monetary award or sales receipt, the festival will allow many artists the rare chance to display their work publically.

"(Sculpture on the Green) is all different styles and all different mediums," Slotta said. "The artists get to expose their work to the public. It really catches people's eye."

Sculpture on the Green will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 20 and 21 at McCorkle Place.

The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.

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