Borough Opens $5,000 Public Art Contest

Cracking the top 20 in the Readers' Digest contest .

Now the town is ready to hand that money over to the local artist or artists who conceive of a lasting tribute to the borough and its spirit of community, to be installed in .

The call officially went out Friday for submissions, which are due July 30.

Each entrant is allowed to submit two proposals outlining a budget, design, materials and installation. The borough will pre-select three to five finalists from among the field. A public vote (beginning August 30) will determine the winner.

“We thought the [Readers' Digest] winnings should go to something everyone can enjoy,” said Mayor Jim Maley in a statement accompanying the contest announcement. “Since they cast those votes, the public will pick the new art installation at the park.”

According to the contest rules (see above), judges are “looking for artwork that is interesting and possibly, but not necessarily, functional,” and that will serve “residents and visitors
of all ages and backgrounds from Collingswood, surrounding communities and beyond.”

In addition to a 24-by-36-inch sketch of their work, artists are invited to submit any background information that “will help the selection committee understand your capability with a project of this nature,” although such additional information is not a requirement for entering the contest.