About the Open Call

The Richard McDermott Miller Competition will take place at the 2026 Sculpture Celebration at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The objective is to successfully model a bust from life (from the neck up) from a live model, working in front of an audience. Eligibility is restricted to sculptors born between 1990-2005 who are citizens or residents of the United States with a social security number. The competition schedule includes 4 hours of modeling with a one-hour lunch break. The submission deadline is Friday, January 23, 2026. Up to 10 sculptors will be selected to compete. Modeling clay, stands, spray bottles, and armature materials are supplied, but competitors must bring personal sculpture tools. The competition offers three awards: the Richard McDermott Miller Prize of $8,000, the Roger T. Williams Prize of $4,000, and the Charlotte Geffken Award of $2,000. The jury will be looking for originality, talent, inspiration, and personal interpretation. NSS welcomes applications from all sculptors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status, education or disability.

What is Offered

Each selected competitor will receive a Participation Scholarship valued at $1250, underwritten by the estate of Charlotte Geffken. This scholarship includes a three-night hotel stay, a $250 travel stipend for competitors living 50+ miles from Old Lyme, CT, registration for the Sculpture Celebration events (May 15-16, 2026), a copy of Miller’s autobiography, and a one-year Associate membership with the National Sculpture Society. Awards include the Richard McDermott Miller Prize of $8,000, the Roger T. Williams Prize of $4,000, and the Charlotte Geffken Award of $2,000.

Requirements

Sculptors must have been born between 1990-2005. All applicants must be citizens of or residents in the United States with a social security number. The first prize winner may not compete the following year. Submission materials: images of six to twelve works of sculpture (JPG format, at least two views for sculpture in the round – a maximum of 36 images), and a brief resume or statement about your work (under My Profile in Entry-Thingy).

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through Entry-Thingy: https://app.entrythingy.com/nationalsculpture.org/richard-mcdermott-miller-competition/. Submission materials include images of six to twelve works of sculpture (JPG format, at least two views for in-the-round, maximum 36 images) and a brief resume or statement about your work.