About the Open Call

In our pursuit to cater to the diverse time requirements of our artists, we have embarked on a journey of exploring new possibilities last year. As a result, we have experimented with different durations for artists' stays, accommodating both nine-month residencies and several four-month residencies. We have taken a step further by establishing a nine-month formalized long-term stay program. We implemented a competitive selection process and a well-structured framework to ensure fairness and excellence. Our panel dedicated several days to reviewing numerous applications before choosing the most deserving candidate for this year's residency. Additionally, we are excited to announce a collaboration with Pratt Munson in Utica, enabling collaborative teaching and fruitful artistic collaborations through this newly established residency program. Jen Leibowitz, October 2025-June 2026. Jennifer Leibowitz’s sculptural practice explores the tension between rational logic and mythic imagination. Her works introduce fictional objects and invented geographies that function as talismans—protective counter-narratives embedded within the everyday. These fabricated fragments intentionally disrupt familiar collections, prompting the viewer to question their origins and the truths they appear to emulate. Mythology serves as a central thread in Leibowitz’s research, particularly in its intersections with history, dream, and language. Fragmentary records and ambiguous translations suggest conceptual gaps—rituals and actions lost to time. Her sculptures often resemble deserted ceremonial sites, where the absence of the figure magnifies the interpretive potential of constructed spaces. Informed by a background in literature, her work consistently engages themes of memory, identity, and linguistic erosion. Her process blends theatricality with rigorous material practice—powdering pigments, collecting sap, or assembling components into meticulous groupings. These gestures reject the urgency of contemporary life in favor of repetition, ritual, and slowness. Leibowitz is particularly interested in the disconnect between geologic time, human lifespan, and the digital moment, which privileges memory over event. In recent years, her practice has investigated the entwined frameworks of mythology and science as systems for modeling reality. For Leibowitz, transformation is not merely physical but conceptual—a transfer of meaning across generations. Using sound and light as metaphors for space and time, her work maps the outer edges of perception, where myth and empirical knowledge converge. Jeff Gibbons, October 2024-June 2025 (IN HOUSE). Detroit-born and New York State based artist Jeff Gibbons is the selected long-term resident for the 2024-25 season. Jeff's distinct approach to art, blending personal narrative with broader societal themes, makes him an exemplary figure to drive forward our commitment to fostering innovative and meaningful sculptural practices. Tom Montan, the Executive Director of Sculpture Spaces, expressed his enthusiasm about Jeff's upcoming residency, stating, "Jeff embodies a strong sense of exploration and robust maker energy that is essential for the transformative experiences we aim to support through our program." Montan is particularly excited about the dynamic Jeff will bring to the community, anticipating that his unique artistic approach and commitment to process will resonate deeply within and beyond the Sculpture Spaces community. Jeff will be in residence from October 2024 through June 2025, a period during which he will bridge several shorter-term residencies, providing continuity and a unique perspective that spans these diverse artistic cycles. His artistic journey from his blue-collar roots in Detroit to establishing a vibrant presence in the Dallas art scene has consistently used his background as a rich source of inspiration, making the ordinary extraordinary and the personal universal. During his residency, Jeff plans to continue exploring themes that have marked his previous work: the intersection of personal history with broader societal issues. He is particularly interested in how objects and spaces can narrate stories, transforming inanimate materials into lively, thought-provoking sculptures. This aligns seamlessly with our residency's goal to foster art that engages and inspires the community. Jeff's commitment to community interaction and his talent for fostering connections through art make him a perfect fit for our residency, which is focused on communal engagement and artistic exploration. His past projects are a testament to his ability to invigorate and transform spaces, involving the public in meaningful artistic experiences. We are excited to see how his innovative spirit will influence the local community and the broader artistic landscape during his tenure with us. We look forward to a season of dynamic growth and creative exchange as we welcome Jeff Gibbons to Sculpture Spaces. His unique voice in sculpture promises to bring new perspectives to our community and inspire a deeper appreciation for the nuances of contemporary art. His time here will leave a lasting impact not only on Jeff's artistic trajectory but also on the cultural fabric of our community. Nneka Kai, October 2023-June 2024. We are thrilled to announce that Nneka Kai will be joining us this fall as our long-term resident artist. She will be onsite through the winter and into early summer of next year. Our Artist Review Committee undertook an exhaustive selection process, reviewing many exceptional proposals. Nneka’s proposal stood out, and we are excited about the creative energy and innovative projects she will bring to Utica. Nneka Kai is an extraordinary interdisciplinary artist and sculptor from Atlanta, Georgia, whose work boldly explores the identity of black women through simple yet powerful designs. Her art is a testament to resilience, beauty, and revolutionary spirit. Nneka employs a variety of materials to create strikingly unique pieces that challenge conventional views on identity, our surroundings, and the passage of time. By weaving traditional crafts like braiding and coiling into her creations, she critiques societal norms imposed by male-dominated cultures and highlights the profound strength found within these practices. Nneka’s art transcends traditional techniques and mediums, incorporating textiles, sound, sculpture, poetry, and performance. This multidisciplinary approach allows her to delve deeply into the material and conceptual language of black hair, exploring everyday gestures of black female performance. Her work is rooted in historical textile processes such as plaiting, coiling, embroidery, and knotting, which she uses to question and dismantle the restrictive ideas imposed by society. Through her art, Nneka shares personal stories and examines historical records, bringing to light the hidden strength and freedom found in the portrayal of black women. Her work bridges the past, present, and future, capturing the complexity of our current political and social climate. By doing so, she sparks meaningful conversations, breaks down barriers, and offers glimpses of unity, healing, and transcendence. Beyond her exhibitions, Nneka has been a dedicated educator, sharing her expertise and inspiring the next generation of artists. Her collaborative projects, such as those with global glass manufacturers, demonstrate her ability to bridge artistic practice with industry, creating works that are both conceptually rigorous and aesthetically compelling. Nneka's presence at Sculpture Space promises to be a transformative experience for our community. Her work not only challenges us to rethink our perspectives but also encourages us to embrace the strength and beauty found in diversity and cultural heritage. We eagerly anticipate the innovative and thought-provoking projects she will develop during her residency, and we are excited to see the lasting impact of her creative energy in Utica.

What is Offered

A nine-month formalized long-term residency program at Sculpture Space, offering dedicated studio time and facilities, opportunities for collaborative teaching and artistic collaborations with Pratt Munson in Utica, and a platform to engage with the community and develop innovative sculptural practices.

Requirements

Applicants undergo a competitive selection process. The program seeks artists with innovative and meaningful sculptural practices, including those working interdisciplinarily with themes such as personal narrative, societal issues, mythology, identity, and cultural heritage, particularly as explored through sculpture, sound, performance, and textile practices. There is an application fee of $0.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via the application portal, which is open from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026. The portal can be accessed at: https://sculpturespace.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/87070