Overview

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance (MSA) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are partnering to present “The Spaces We Inhabit”, a thematic exhibition juried by Isaac Duncan III.

This exhibition fosters MSA’s mission to advance the creation and awareness of sculpture in its many and varied forms and promote a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors. Selected sculptures will offer a dynamic exhibition highlighting a variety of techniques, media and content. 

MSA Professional Member Artists are encouraged to submit up to three artworks for consideration.

Application and Exhibit Timeline

Call opens: July 1, 2025

Deadline for submission: August 31, 2025

Artist to be notified: September 15, 2025

Shipping Deadline: September 29, 2025

Hand delivery: September 24-29, 2025

Installation dates: October 1, 2025

Exhibition dates: October 3-4, 2025

Opening Reception: October 3, 2025

De-installation dates: October 4, 2025

Pick up dates: October 4, 2025           

Artist Eligibility

• This opportunity is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, who are current or new professional members of MSA. 

• Each applicant may enter up to THREE artworks; all entries must have been conceived and created by the artist submitting the artwork; all media suitable for indoor exhibition will be considered. 

• Applying for membership can be made when submitting for this exhibition.

Artwork Themes

This exhibition seeks to examine the complex relationship between people and the spaces that house, comfort, and influence them. Taken both literally and figuratively, The Spaces We Inhabit focuses on the physical and the metaphysical, spanning environment, landscape and the body, as well as the emotional, spiritual, psychological and societal structures that govern us. The Spaces We Inhabit looks closely at the relationship between humans and “space,” and how space influences memory, identity, belonging, constitution and affect, inviting viewers to consider how their use of space informs how they live within themselves and with one another.

The intent of this juried exhibition will be to showcase a wide range of approaches and practices. The shape and content of the show will be defined entirely by the juror.

Juror

Isaac Duncan III, a Chattanooga based artist, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, of Caribbean decent, received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, Certification of Secondary Art Education from St. Mary's College and Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Kentucky. Isaac is a recipient of the Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for 2017.

Duncan was mentored/employed by various artists: Richard Hunt, John Henry, and Robert Stackhouse and Carol Mickett. His large scale sculptures have been collected by Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton, Ohio, Lexington Diagnostic Center, Kentucky, African-American Heritage Center, Kentucky, Columbia State College, Tennessee, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Erlanger Children’s Hospital Kennedy Outpatient Center and Le Domaine Forget, Quebec, Canada and numerous private art Collectors.

Duncan is the Past-President of Mid-South Sculpture Alliance and former board member of Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, Association for Visual Artists, and ArtsBuild. He currently sits on the boards of the International Sculpture Center, StoveWorks, and serves on the Tennessee Arts Commission granting committees.

Site

Originally built in 1820 as a Presbyterian church, the Union Grove Gallery and Meeting Hall is one of the oldest surviving churches in Alabama. Originally located in Union Grove, Alabama, the structure was relocated to the campus of UAH in 1974. It was restored by UAH art faculty, students, volunteers and businesses. The building serves as an event space to host various art shows, receptions, and other events. 

The Union Grove Gallery is located at University Cir. Huntsville, AL 35816. It’s an open floor plan with two columns located in the main exhibition space. The main exhibition space is 28 feet by 25 feet with a connecting smaller exhibition space that is approximately 16 feet by 9 feet. The ceilings are approximately 12 feet high. The Union Grove Gallery is a truly unique exhibition space enriched with amazing history. 

Catalog

An exhibition catalog documenting all accepted artworks will be produced during the exhibition run. Artwork images, artist statements and biographies submitted for the juroring process will be used for the catalog production. 

Shipping, Installation, and De-installation

All accepted artwork should either be shipped or hand delivered at artist’s expense by Friday, August 25 to:

Union Grove Gallery
University Cir
Huntsville, AL 35816

More shipping, drop-off and install details will be sent with notification of acceptance.

Return Shipping: All artwork requiring return shipping must include a return shipping label at delivery. 

Artwork Scale

The exhibition encourages small and medium sized work due to space limitations. Sculptural assemblage may be considered but too elaborate installation is discouraged. Wall-mounted works and standing floor or pedestal works are permissible. NO SUSPENDED work will be accepted. Works must not exceed 5 ft in any direction and not weigh over 120 lbs. All artwork and packaging must fit through a door 39.5” x 85” in dimensions. 

Shipped less than 80lbs

Hand delivery 120lbs

Limitation & Restrictions

1. All work must be original and completed within the last 5 years.

2. Wall mounted artworks must be ready to hang upon delivery and include anchoring hardware appropriate for dry wall.

3. All shipping or hand delivery and the return of work for the exhibition is the responsibility of the artist.

4. MSA reserves the right to reject works that are misrepresented in the application process or are not properly outfitted to display in the gallery.

Artist Responsibilities

MSA and the Union Grove Gallery will supply power, tools, pedestals and assistance for installation. The artist will provide hardware needed. Selected artists are encouraged to send a detailed installation instruction of artwork. If needed, Artists may come during installation to set up their work.

Notification: Both selected and rejected artists will be notified of their selection by email.

For further information regarding MSA and this exhibition, please visit midsouthsculpture.org or contact Chelsea Moulder, Administrative Assistant, at admin@midsouthsculpture.org

Application Requirements

• Artist statement - about artwork conception and its relationship to the exhibition theme. Submissions should be 300 to 500 words in length. These statements will be used for exhibition didactics including artist labels and exhibition catalogue.

• Artist biography - 100 to 150 words in length

• Images - please submit up to three artworks. Detail images are encouraged with a maximum of up to ten image files total. Works in progress will be considered only if images clearly depicting where the sculpture is to this point and a detailed technical drawing is included. For work better suited for representation by video (installation, kinetic sculpture, etc) post a video and include a link in the application form.
  Image upload directions - each image must be:

• • Saved in jpeg or png format

  • Set color to RGB

  • Image size should not exceed horizontal pixel dimension of 1600 pixels or vertical pixel dimension of 1200 pixels

  • each file must be less than 1MB

  • Saved as the artist's last name and image title.
    Example: DOE_UNTITLED.jpg

• Image list - for each image, include:

• • Title

  • Date completed

  • Media

  • Dimensions

  • Weight of artwork

  • Description of how the artwork would be installed/hung etc

  • Optional description about the artwork

• Completed entry form

Submitting your application indicates that you have read and understood all guidelines and criteria contained within this prospectus. To the best of your knowledge, you are eligible to be considered for MSA’s Juried Member Exhibition. Your application contains your work and the information in your resume is complete and true. You understand that if accepted, it will be your responsibility to deliver your work to the Union Grove Gallery ready for hanging and on time, concurrent with any schedules given to you upon acceptance. If accepted, the work presented with this application is the work that will be installed in the exhibit. The Gallery does not provide insurance for the artwork during the exhibition. The Artist assumes all liability and any injury or damages incurred directly from the artwork or associated malfunctions of equipment/technology in the exhibition. This includes damages to networks in conjunction with internet or server access required for the exhibition. All artists 

No person will be excluded from participation in or otherwise subjected to discrimination in regards to services, programs and employment, provided by Union Grove Gallery based on color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion.

Union Grove Gallery Floor Plan and Images:

Apply Here