Salisbury, MD – Celebrate public art in Downtown Salisbury on Tuesday with both the ribbon cutting for the inaugural winner of the Salisbury Prize and a reception for the Wicomico Public Library’s “A River Runs Through Us” Artwalk.
“Perpetual,” created by Thomas Sterner, is the 2024 winner of the Salisbury Prize. The sculpture will be unveiled at the ribbon cutting and reception, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The stainless-steel sculpture features a tree stump with many rings and a sprout growing out of it. Sterner’s sketch of the project was considered by members of Salisbury’s Public Art Committee as well as members of the community.
The application period for the first Salisbury Prize opened Feb. 1, and Sterner’s project was announced as the winner May 1. The Salisbury Prize followed fall 2023’s unveiling of the Salisbury Public Art Master Plan and included $10,000 for the winner, with an additional $5,000 available in reimbursement for materials.
“‘Perpetual’ will be a beautiful addition to the Riverwalk Games Park,” said Allen Swiger, director of the City’s Arts, Business and Culture Department. “It was an honor to collaborate with the wonderful folks on the City’s Public Art Committee to make this installation a reality. Keep an eye out — the 2025 Salisbury Prize proposal portal will be opening soon.”
Sterner, a full-time artist living near Union Mills, Maryland, with a studio called Art Factory, will be on-site for the event and is one of the speakers at the ribbon cutting.
The Wicomico Public Library’s “A River Runs Through Us” Artwalk was curated by Nancy Mitchell, the City of Salisbury’s poet laureate, and Susan Holt, chair of Salisbury’s Public Art Committee.
The “A River Runs Through Us” Artwalk will be on display from Sept. 15-Oct. 12 and features the work of five female visual artists – Natalie Blanton, Helene English, Nancy Mysak, Laura Kelley and Holt – along with poetry by Mitchell. Learn more about the artists at www.wicomicolibrary.org/riverwalk-artwalk.
The reception will also feature light refreshments.
