In 2026, Uwe Wolff’s Foundation and the Municipality of Sønderborg will arrange the symposium together for the 14th time. Throughout an outstanding collaboration, a well-known and well-reputed symposium has been established over time.
In 2026, 8 artists will be invited after having screened all applications. This invitation will be sent out worldwide.
The theme for 2026 is our region’s local history of the brickmaking industry. The local museum Cathrinesminde Teglværk (Brikwork) tells the story of the brickmaking industry that shaped the area around Flensburg Fjord for more than 200 years.
In your application for the symposium, it is important that you describe what your work is about (ideas, thoughts, and sketch).
After the symposium, the organisers plan to exhibit all 8 sculptures in a local park. After the exhibition period all artworks will be donated to the Museum Cathrinesminde Teglværk.
Theme 2026
The theme for 2026 is our region’s local history of the brickmaking industry. The local museum Cathrinesminde Brikwork tells the story of the brickmaking industry that shaped the area around Flensburg Fjord for more than 200 years.
The museum is built around the old production facilities, including the clay pit, mixing and molding machines, drying sheds, ring kiln, and more. The exhibition traces the history of bricks through the ages. The old workers’ houses can be visited. There is also a historical workshop where school classes can learn about brick production. In 2007, Cathrinesminde Brickworks was designated a national industrial heritage site. More info: https://msj.dk/cathrinesminde/
The large industrial complex is the last preserved ring-kiln brickworks in Southern Jutland. The ring kiln (oven) is 35 meters long. In addition, there are long drying sheds and a complete, fully functional set of machinery for producing all types of bricks. Behind the brickworks lie two large clay pits, where the raw material was extracted.
With the theme WoodSculpture wants to embrace and enhance the understanding for this unique local history.
GUIDELINES AND POLICIES
The organizers of the 14. International WoodSculpture Symposium in Sønderborg is the Municipality of Sønderborg and the Uwe Wolff’s Foundation.
1. Practical matters
The invitation is only valid for one person (the artist) and the symposium requires that the artist works on his/her own.
Application and all further communication will be in English.
You will receive an oak tree block with the measurements of minimum 60x160 cm.
The oak tree blocks and the final artwork of the artist belongs to the WoodSculpture Symposium (The Municipality of Sønderborg and Uwe Wolff’s Foundation).
The oak tree blocks will be handed over to an in advance known recipient (e.g. local school, organization, park, public community).
The final handover is planned to be on Saturday June 20th from 1-2 pm. It is required that the artist is present at the whole ceremony / handover session.
Each artist must bring his or her own hand tools and personal equipment for creating the sculpture.
An electric chainsaw of high quality will be provided during the working hours. In total, the symposium will provide medium sized electric chainsaws and one large chainsaw for sharing among the artists. Moreover, a carving saw will be provided. The artists need to be aware of that they need to share the provided equipment and handle it carefully.
For other needs and purposes there will be electrical connections (220V) on the event site.
A service manager on the event site, during the whole week, will make sure that all equipment is provided and functional.
The artists need to wear safety-trousers and other equipment provided by the organizer.
Due to insurance, the artist must bring and wear his/her own safety shoes.
The programme for the week is handed out at the start of the symposium and beforehand sent by e-mail. The programme of the week contains special arrangements (e.g., excursions and social gatherings).
The artists are guests in the Municipality of Sønderborg and are therefore expected to participate in these activities.
Every artist works at his or her own risk. The symposium has signed third-part insurance.
2. Working Schedule
The daily working time during the week will be from 9 am. until 6 pm. (Unless the starting day, the 16th, the beginning will be at 1 p.m.)
Working with the artwork must be finished by Friday, June 19th, at latest 12 am.
The artist’s artwork is handed over to a recipient: Cathrinesminde Teglværk on Saturday, June 20th at 1-2 pm.
The Symposium will end June 20th at 3 pm.
From Saturday June 20th from 3 pm. the artists can departure from Sønderborg.
During the working hours it is expected that the artist is open for conversations and discussions about his or her artwork/project. As experiences have shown, visitors are very interested in the artworks. During the week, schools and kindergarten-groups will visit the square.
Due to safety and insurance policies, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited during the daily working hours.
3. Payment
The artist will on the day of departure be paid cash in hand an amount of EURO 650,-.
Artists living in Europe will receive a travel grant of EURO 100,-.
Participants coming from the outside of Europe will receive a travel grant of EURO 200,-. Due to increased travel costs the symposium will have an individual evaluation of each artist’s travel costs outside of Europe.
Additional personal expenses e.g. telephone conversation, medicine, etc. will be on one’s own account.
The artists may not bring or sell own artworks on the square during the entire Symposium.
4. Accommodation
The artist will be staying at private accommodation in collaboration with local host families. In March more information regarding your accommodation will be sent by e-mail.
Breakfast and dinner will take place at the accommodation.
Lunch will be provided at the event site. Coffee, cake, and water will also be served during the entire symposium.
5. Cancelation policy
Cancelation of the event or date change: In case of cancelation of the event, the organiser will try to postpose the event, hence, change the date if possible. The artist still commits to be part of the event also in case of date changes. There will not be any compensation in case of cancelation.
Annulment of the artist contract: The organisers can at any time cancel the contract with the artist. If this takes effect, there will not be any compensation for the artist.
6. Arrival and Departure
The artist must be in Sønderborg Saturday evening, June 13th and the artist can plan his or her departure after the Symposium, Saturday June 20th from 3 pm.
Important deadline: 1st of May 2026, the artist must send his/hers travel details to the organizer. In case of not meeting this requirement, the organizers can reject the participation and find another artist.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us:
Tanja Zeba Horst, tzeb@sonderborg.dk / +45 27905528