8th Wadersloh Sculpture Symposium

The municipality of Wadersloh, located in the south-east of the district of Warendorf in the administrative district of Münster, was formed in 1975 from the formerly independent towns of Diestedde, Liesborn and Wadersloh. Today, around 13,000 people live in an area of approx. 117 square kilometres in one of the most charming rural regions of the Münsterland.

Wadersloh has long been particularly committed to promoting the arts. This is documented, among other things, by the Liesborn Abbey Museum as one of the cultural centres of the district of Warendorf. Here, more than 1,000 years of Liesborn Abbey history come together with a diverse collection of art and cultural history. The museum's attic houses a unique collection of historical crucifixes. The Liesborn Gospels, one of the oldest gospel manuscripts in Westphalia, only returned to its destination in 2023 after travelling around the world for 220 years since the monastery was closed. It is displayed in a sacred-looking room and is the centrepiece of the new permanent exhibition on the early history of the abbey.

Back in 1997, the municipality of Wadersloh organised a very successful 1st Wadersloh Sculpture Symposium. The "2nd Work Shop Symposium" in 2000 was organised with the three secondary schools in the municipality. A 3rd sculpture symposium in 2003 under the motto "Europe" and the 4th sculpture symposium in 2009 with the theme "Art connects" round off an outstanding cultural mix, which is very important for the district of Liesborn, but also for the entire municipality, in the field of fine, modern art in an excellent way and thus complement the presentation of the permanent collection in the museum. In 2014, the 5th sculpture symposium took place under the theme "Paths to Liesborn" with the central idea of "Establishing an art trail", which makes the district of Liesborn the cultural centre of the municipality. The artworks created at the 6th Sculpture Symposium 2017 and the 7th Sculpture Symposium 2021 have already been integrated into the art trail in Liesborn.

Many artists from the region and beyond (including from the French partner municipalities) have participated in the six symposia to date with various works. Many of the artworks created can now be found in public spaces in all three districts and on the art trail.

The works of art from the 8th Sculpture Symposium with the theme "Paths to Liesborn" will also find their place on the art trail, which starts at the hiking car park/path in the district of Liesborn on Liesborner Straße in the direction of the "Liesborner Holz" forest area.

A maximum of three sculptors will be admitted, who must be born or resident in North Rhine-Westphalia or Lower Saxony and, if applicable, one sculptor from the neighbourhood of Wadersloh's partner municipalities (Neris-les-Bains, Marcillat-en-Combraille and Faulungen).
Artists who have already taken part in the sculpture symposium in previous years may apply again. Artists whose works of art have been purchased and are already exhibited on the art trail between Wadersloh and Liesborn are excluded.

A lump sum of €150.00 per day will be paid per participant for meals and accommodation for a maximum of 9 days.
The participant from France will also receive a lump sum of € 500.00 for travelling expenses.
The necessary materials will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount of € 2,000.00 per participant on presentation of invoices.
The necessary equipment, tools, etc. must be provided by the participants.

The following materials are authorised: Wood, stone, metal, plastic, concrete, etc.

After completion of the artworks, the municipal building yard will assist with the installation of the artworks on the art trail in Liesborn. The costs of installation on the art trail will be reimbursed by prior arrangement.
As this is not an official event and a fee is paid to the artists, artists must take out their own liability insurance.
After the symposium, a documentation with images of the works created, artist biographies and corresponding texts will be published.

The work created during the symposium remains the property of the artists. It will remain in the municipality of Wadersloh for at least three months after the symposium as a free permanent loan. Details will be agreed with the artists. During this time, the jury will discuss possible purchases. There is no obligation on the part of the organiser to make a purchase.
Should a purchase nevertheless be made, a decision will be made after the symposium by the responsible expert committee of the municipality of Wadersloh, which will be advised by an expert jury. A maximum of two works of art can be purchased for a maximum of €4,000 each.
Any works of art purchased will form the basis of the aforementioned "art trail" and will be erected from the hiking car park to Liesborner Holz.

Competition performance
The task is to develop two conceptual designs on the topic of
theme "Paths to Liesborn".
The competition entries must be submitted anonymously and labelled with a five-digit number in the top right-hand corner of the model design, each sketch, drawing, page of text, etc. The sender will be given a sealed envelope with the same number. The sender will be enclosed with the designs in a sealed envelope labelled with the same number. The author's declaration must also be enclosed in this envelope.
Competition entries are required that clearly demonstrate the realisation of the artistic ideas.
When making models, a suitable scale must be chosen.
A materials plan, a technical plan and a budget plan must also be submitted.
Application materials - except for models - must be submitted in DIN A 3 and DIN A 4 formats.
The tender guidelines must be recognised in writing with a legally binding signature. The original of the corresponding confirmation must be enclosed with the application.

Queries:
Queries can be addressed to the municipality of Wadersloh, Liesborner Straße 5, 59329 Wadersloh, in person, by e-mail or by telephone.
Contact person:
Mr Roman Sunder, Head of Marketing, Culture, Tourism (Tel. 02523/950-1020)
(roman.sunder@wadersloh.de)
Mrs Silke Wissen, Culture Department (Tel. 02523/950-1050)
(silke.wissen@wadersloh.de)
Mrs Lara Peveling, Cultural Affairs (Tel. 02523/950-1055)
(lara.peveling@wadersloh.de)