Sculpture Celebration
Join us for the 37th Annual Sculpture Celebration
Held Rain or Shine from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Broyhill Walking Park in Lenoir
When the Caldwell Arts Council held its first Sculpture Celebration in 1985, few could have imagined that it would continue today. Held annually on the Saturday after Labor Day at the Broyhill Walking Park in Lenoir, NC, the nationally recognized event draws sculptors, mostly who live east of the Mississippi, in competition for $11,000 in cash awards and potential sales. The event is free to the public and opens to thousands of people who come to take in the beautiful grounds studded with sculpture. The event is held rain or shine and includes live music, on-site food trucks, and free shuttle service to and from off-site parking. For questions or further information, feel free to email us or call 828-754-2486.
Below is the list of our 2022 winners with a link to photos courtesy of Karen Ruhl Photography.
2022 Sculpture Celebration Winners
Best in Show: "Sentinel I" by James Darr of Swannanoa, NC
Stevens Family Foundation People's Choice Award: "Gaze into Me" by Niki Hildebrand of Lenoir, NC
First Place: "Overpowering Burden" by Stephan Bonitz, aka Steebo of Black Mountain, NC
Second Place: "Cosmic Dancer" by John Ross of Morganton, NC
Third Place: "Across the Universe" by Beau Lyday of Valdese, NC
Judge's Merit Awards:
"Soul Dimension" by Fred Mead of Forest City, NC
"Socially Distant Suspension" by Jeff Menzer of Asheville, NC
"Market Place" by Joseph Bigley of Lenoir, NC
"Earth Mother" by Nicholas Batounis of Oak Island, NC
"Gaze into Me" by Niki Hildebrand of Lenoir, NC
Honorable Mentions:
"Box Store" by Sean Matthews of Mechanicsburg, PA
"Turning the World Upside Down" by Amanda Szot of Boone, NC
"Luna Moth" by Linda Pannullo of Asheville, NC
"Outer Reach" by Harry McDaniel of Asheville, NC
"Bird Man II" by George Cadell of Bakersville, NC
2022 Sculpture Celebration Sponsors
The 36th Annual Sculpture Celebration was funded in part by these generous sponsors and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Aftermath Fitness
Anything Office Inc.
Caron Baker & Jim Wike
City of Lenoir
Blue Ridge Energy
Bo's Family Entertainment
Broyhill Family Foundation
Joe & Frances Delk
Dunkin' of Lenoir
Barbara Freiman
Hole Lotta Doughnuts
Karen Ruhl Photography
Barbara Kirby
Life Store Insurance
Lenoir Tourism Development Authority
McCreary Modern
Morganton Honda
North Carolina Arts Council
Liza Plaster & William Early
Tim & Sandra Scobie
Smith, Stevens & Ford PA
Sonic of Lenoir
Stevens Family Foundation
Bill White Endowmment
Merrill White Trust
Rebecca White Trust
WNC Sculpture Center & Park