“Gone Fishing” is Mount Desert Symposium in the Arts, “LandEscapes” theme for 2005. We are inviting ALL children, children with adults, or adults who want to be children to create a scarecrow-like sculpture. Sculptures will be exhibited at the Beech Hill Farm of the College of the Atlantic, a 75 acre organic working farm, located on Mount Desert island.

HOW to approach the theme “Gone Fishing”?? As defined by the Webster’s Dictionary, Gone is…

• “characterized by sinking or dropping.”

• “…processed with a strong attachment or foolish desire.”

• “…in the past (summer, memories, etc.)

Fishing is

• …”the sport or business of catching fish.”

• “ …a place to catch fish”

A Fishing Expedition is

• “…an investigation that hopes to uncover newsworthy event for an examination to discover information.”

As you can see, there are many ways to think about the idea, phase and image of fish and fishing, so be as inventive abstract and wild as you like when designing your scarecrow!

MATERIALS used to build this sculpture can vary, but must be weather proof and withstand all strong sun, wind, rain et. al. during this two week period of the exhibition. Plastic, found materials, wood, rope, wire, fabric and shells are just some examples of what could be used to create your sculpture. The rest is up to you, but remember, it will be standing in a field so you will want it to be seen from a car driving by. Please use environmentally sound materials that will not impact the farm in anyway. Also, children will be viewing these objects so please consider safety when creating your sculpture. The sculpture will be hung on garden type fence metal poles so please be sure your piece can be attached or hung on poles, which will be done by a “LandEscapes” volunteer the day before the opening on July 31. If you go to our website, click onto 2001 and there are examples of sculptures made for past exhibits. We expect many viewers on foot, bicycles and by car on the day of the opening as well as the duration of the show.

If you would be interested in selling your piece, please let us know. We would like to give a portion of the proceeds to a needy organization on the Island and the rest would be given back to you.

APPLICATION FORM

Fish sculpture by Margaret C. Manter: mixed media piece currently hanging in the cafeteria at the College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME.