Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival Application

Invitation to the

Friday, June 19 - Saturday, June 27, 2026

Attention Wood Sculptors! You are warmly invited to apply to our upcoming wood sculpture symposium. The application deadline is November 6, 2024. We will inform you of your invitation to participate by November 30, 2024 (If a visa is needed please schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Wait times can be up to 18 months or more). The theme is Dance. Please fill out the application if you are interested in joining us. The application and all further communication will be in English.

At just under 10 acres, and with nearly 1,500 feet of Lake Monona shoreline, the property known as San Damiano, once part of the traditional land of the Ho Chunk Nation, has been described as epic, iconic and even magical. The property’s small arboretum of cedars, sycamores, oaks, pines and apple trees serves as a haven for a wide variety of native and migratory birds, and at least one natural spring still gurgles beneath its topsoil. Perched atop a natural limestone bluff, the property offers breathtaking views of the Wisconsin State Capitol, and a peaceful natural expanse, amidst the bustling sprawl of Madison’s East Side.

San Damiano has remained largely undisturbed for more than 100 years. A singular, Dutch Colonial-Revival manor house, built in 1893-4 and known as the Frank Allis House, still stands on the property in testament to a bygone era.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code and Country

Native Affiliation*

Cell Phone*

E-mail*

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Please list tools you would like to have access to. We will do our best to accommodate you. Keep in mind that the U.S. uses 110 volt electricity.*

Are you a vegetarian?*

YesNo

Food Intolerance

Emergency Contact Name*

Emergency Contact Cell Phone Number*

Health Insurance Provider*

Health Insurance Number*

We strongly encourage all participants to have either a health insurance provider or travel insurance. I have Travel Insurance:*

YesNo

Will you be bringing a guest?*

YesNo

Will you need a translator at the closing ceremony?*

YesNo

I will arrive by*

CarPlane

If accepted, you will be staying with a host family. Please answer the following questions.*

I am a smokerI do not smoke

Are you comfortable with cats and dogs?*

Shirt Size:*

Picture of you*

Upload high resolution (300 dpi) in jpg, jpeg, png, tiff, max 4 MB. pdf files will not be accepted

A proposal including a sketch of your idea for the symposium*

Please upload a pdf or jpeg

Write a short summary description of your artwork/idea for publication*

Your artist CV and Bio*

Please upload a pdf, Word file or jpeg

Example and photos of your previous works (5-10 photos)*

Upload high resolution (300 dpi) in jpg, jpeg, png, tiff, max 4MB. pdf files will not be accepted

Rules and Guidelines

Information for Symposium:
11 artists will be invited after screening all applications. Artists will be informed about the final selection decision by November 30, 2024.

Opening Ceremony: Friday, June 19 at 4 pm. All participating artists are required to attend. Artists will start working Saturday morning.

Closing Ceremony: Saturday, June 27 at 4 pm (work will cease at 11:30 am to allow time for clean-up for presentation)

Travel Costs:
Participants are responsible for organizing and financing their own travel. Travel reimbursements up to $1000 will be paid at the end of the symposium. All travel receipts are required.

Wood Information:
Each participant will receive an oak, pine or linden (basswood) log approximately 8 feet (213 cm) long and up to 30 inches (75 cm) in diameter. Some larger or smaller logs will be available if desired.

Theme Guidelines:
The theme for this year’s symposium is Dance.

Equipment:

On Saturday morning chainsaws will be available in various sizes. Grinders and sanders will be available for artists who are traveling by plane. If you are driving please bring your own hand tools and equipment such as chainsaws, grinders and sanders. Artists flying should bring their own hand tools.

Safety equipment is strongly encouraged during work when using power tools. Please bring your own eye protection, gloves, cut protective chaps, and hearing protection.

A service manager will be onsite to ensure that equipment is provided and functional.

Finishing oil for the final art piece will be provided at the symposium.

Working Hours and Community Responsibilities:
Artists will work approximately 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 5 pm
Breakfast will be available 8:00 am - 8:45 am
Dinner will be provided by the festival or host families.

During working hours it’s expected that the artist is open to conversations and discussions about their artwork. We expect visitors will be very interested in each artist’s work and their process.

The program for the week is handed out at the start of the symposium and will be sent by email beforehand. The program contains special arrangements like excursions, concerts and social gatherings. The artists are guests of the city of Monona and are therefore expected to participate in all the scheduled activities.

Work Stations:
Work stations will be under a sunshade approximately 10 feet (3 m) x 10 feet (3 m). The sunshades will have optional walls. The symposium will take place rain or shine. Artists are expected to complete the sculpture during the symposium.

Accommodations:
Accommodations will be provided free of charge in family homes within the community from Thursday, June 18 through Sunday morning, June 23. It may be possible to arrive earlier and/or stay longer. Equipment will be stored securely on site.

Meals:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for artists during the symposium.

Video and Photo Release:
At the symposium photos and video of participating artists and their sculptures will be made by the organizers. With your registration as a participant you give us permission to use the photo and video footage for advertising purposes.

Honoraria:
Each artist will be awarded an honoraria of $1500. The artist’s work will become the property of the symposium. If the symposium chooses to auction off or sell a sculpture the artist will receive 50% of the proceeds. At the closing ceremony each artist will present their work.

Exhibition Opportunities:
Participants will be given the opportunity to display and sell some of their artwork. Due to space constraints we request that the pieces are not large. The symposium requests 15% of the proceeds.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Stacy Levin, Organizer • stasha@chorus.com