McCormick Receives Outstanding Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture

Courtesy of Sarah McCormick

Title: Dandelion Root, 2015; Media: Drywall, wallpaper, various materials; Dimensions: 100"x96"x48"

HAMILTON, N.J. – Sarah McCormick of the University of Arkansas has been awarded the prestigious International Sculpture Center's Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for 2015. McCormick is studying sculpture in the Department of Art's undergraduate fine arts program.

The International Sculpture Center established the annual Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award program in 1994 to recognize young sculptors and to encourage their continued commitment to the field. It was also designed to draw attention to the sculpture programs of the participating universities, colleges and art schools.

For 2015, more than 400 students from six countries were nominated, with 952 works submitted from students at universities, colleges and art schools. McCormick is one of 18 students selected by the internationally renowned jury:

• Chakaia Booker, sculptor, New York
• Kelly Kivland, assistant curator of the Dia Art Foundation, New York
• Maki Hajikano, associate professor of fine arts at York College of City University of New York.

"The selection of the recipients from a large pool of applicants, including international students,is a great accomplishment and testament to the artistic promise of the students' work," the International Sculpture Center said in a media release.

McCormick, who is from Ozark, will participate in the Grounds for Sculpture's fall and winter exhibition, which will be on view from October 2015 to March 2016 in Hamilton, New Jersey, adjacent to the International Sculpture Center's headquarters. Her work will also be featured in the October 2015 issue of the center's award-winning publication, Sculpture magazine, as well as on its award-winning website at www.sculpture.org.

"One of the most motivating aspects of receiving the ISC award is the privilege of being placed alongside a group of young and ambitious artists like the 17 other winners this year," McCormick said. "It is exciting to see what others at a similar place in their careers are talking about in the art world and to feel a sense of comradery as we are all chasing similar goals. It is certainly an affirmation that will push me to go the extra mile in my studio practice as I move forward."

She credited Bethany Springer, vice chair of the U of A Department of Art and associate professor of sculpture, with encouragement and guidance.

"I have such high regard for her input in my work and often return to valuable feedback she has given me when I doubt myself," McCormick said. "I am proud to have studied at UA and would genuinely recommend this undergraduate art program to anyone."

The International Sculpture Center is a member-supported, nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to champion the creation and understanding of sculpture and its unique, vital contribution to society. Members include sculptors, collectors, patrons, architects, developers, journalists, curators, historians, critics, educators, foundries, galleries, and museums-anyone with an interest in and commitment to the field of sculpture. Please visit www.sculpture.org for further details.