Memorial for the People Enslaved at Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky
Budget: $250,000
Deadline: 02/28/2023
Call Summary
The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation owns and operates Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate is a 17-acre historic green space in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky. Its centerpiece is an 8,000 square foot Italianate mansion, along with a groundskeeper’s cottage, smokehouse, and other outbuildings. During Henry Clay’s time as state legislator, U.S. Senator, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and U.S. Secretary of State, the mansion, crops, and livestock were tended by enslaved persons.
The Foundation, in partnership with LexArts, seeks an artist or artist team to create an artwork that engages Ashland’s descendant community by incorporating stories passed down through families and community lore—a history too long marginalized within public memory.
This project will be a significant element of the Foundation’s contribution to Lexington’s 250th anniversary in 2025, the Nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and the Foundation’s 100th anniversary, also in 2026.
Budget Description
Each finalist will be paid $2,500 to develop a site specific design. The total commission of $250,000 will be all inclusive to create the commissioned piece.
Artwork Goals
This artwork will be a visual marker on the estate. The goal is to commission proposals by three experienced public artists for the site, with the expectation of realizing one of the proposals by June 2025. There is no application fee to enter.
Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.
Contact Information
Nathan Zamarron
Community Arts Director
161 North Mill Street
Lexington KY - Kentucky 40507 United States
nzamarron@lexarts.org
859 255 2951
Submission Instructions
Website Address: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=11326
