The 4th annual manneqart sculptural artworks competition now underway in howard county, has once again attracted amazing “sculpture on the human form” from around the u.s.
This year’s competition features new artworks from 20+ states, including pieces created for New Zealand’s world famous World of Wearable Art Competition by U.S. artists from Washington state and Alaska.
Artworks are made of non-traditional materials such as wood, metal, glass, recycled plastic and fibers of all kinds. Awards totaling $10,000 are again being offered for the best theme creations, best hair and makeup, and best artworks from middle and high school, and college-level artists. This year’s themes are Flora, Fauna, Action and Androids.
ManneqART is an arts and education non-profit based in Howard County. It is the brainchild of wearable art designer/ manufacturer Lee Andersen, a resident of Laurel, Maryland. “The community’s response has been wildly enthusiastic,” Andersen reported. “In 2015, ManneqART artworks were also shown at the Renwick Gallery in Washington and in the 2015 Hair Ball Parade at the Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore.” ManneqART’s vision is to be a catalyst for inspiring people to create “Sculpture on the Human Form.”
Through a variety of events planned for 2016, ManneqART seeks to showcase the best in imaginative sculpture, hair, and special effects makeup — Sculpture on the Human Form. Besides skills work- shops, collaboration with students, and appearances at events around the region, ManneqART sponsors three annual events. This year, June 26 was the date of ManneqART Madness — Sculpture, Hair, and Makeup Event at Historic Savage Mill, where all the new artworks were introduced to the public and professionally photographed for the 2017 ManneqART Calendar.
From September 10-25, ManneqART will have its annual public exhibition of all 2016 artworks at multiple sites around Howard County, including the Mall in Columbia. On October 30, ManneqART will host the ManneqART Masquerade and Annual Awards Gala at ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. tickets are available at the ManneqArt website.
Longer term plans for ManneqART include establishing a ManneqART Gallery in or near Howard County, where visitors can see a collection of sculptural artworks from all of the competitions. Since 2013, ManneqART has attracted more than 200 artworks from 100+ artists around the U.S. Another goal is to become a “hub” for sculptural art in the U.S. so that artists have a stage to show their artworks beyond their local art guilds.
Businesses, individuals, and organizations are encouraged to support ManneqART by becoming artwork and event sponsors or by providing donations — cash or in- kind. Volunteers of all kinds are needed.