Artist Information and Criteria

-Download Application here. Application Deadline is February 25, 2008.


If an artist has someone who wants to sponsor his/her painted horse, please let us know. All artists' concepts must be approved by the committee.

All designs are to be family friendly and non-political.

We suggest the artist submit several concepts. We will only choose one design from an artist.

The artist's concept should be drawn no larger than 8.5 inches by 11 inches in size. The Horses Are Coming! The Horses Are Coming! will not be responsible for the return of materials submitted.

Please list, in the order of your preference, the horse form you prefer to embellish. The earliest applications get their first choices. There are only five fiberglass horses, of each of the four styles, with the exception of the Arabian, of which there are six.

Each horse weighs about one hundred pounds. The four fiberglass horse forms are approximately:
Arabian...................................6' H x 8'L x 20"D
Standing Thoroughbred......6'3"H x 7'6"L x 20"D
Grazing Thoroughbred..........5'H x 7'10"L x 20"D
Walking Thoroughbred..........6'H x 9'L x 20'D

If you want to fill small holes on your horse, get Bondo Body Puddy at auto supply stores. If you want to add sculptural elements or alter the fiberglass surface, we suggest using MagicSculp Epoxy Puddy. Go to www.magicsculp.com or www.restorersupplies.com. Use professional-grade artist acrylic (medium viscosity) or oil paints. Not recommended are Latex house paints.  (More info below)

We owe a big THANK YOU! to Dobbs Ford. All painted horses will be clear-coated by Dobbs Ford. We suggest you varnish your work (lascaux UV-1 Gloss Varnish is the best) to protect your artwork before Dobbs clear-coats it. The horses that have a mosaic - glass, tile or mirror decor will not be clear coated.

Websites of other public art projects:

http://ahorseaffair.com/horseaffair.html

http://www.giddyuptogranby.org/index.htm 

www.americasfiberglassanimals.com

www.publicartprojectsofamerica.com

www.saratoga-arts.org/special_horses.htm

If you have any questions, e-mail us at: thehorsesarecoming@gmail.com.
Or call
Tempe Chancellor 901-494-4216
Susan Glassman 901-356-7332

Artist Materials Recommendations

Paint

Oil Paints – Professional Grade Artist
Acrylic – Medium Viscosity, professional grade
Liquitex Heavy Body paints
Soft Body Paints
*Latex House Paints not recommended

Putty

Bondo – Great for making small repairs and can be purchased at auto supply stores
MagicSculp Epoxy Putty – good for altering the forms surface, recommended to sand surface before applying, then allowing 12 hours before sanding and painting.

Decoupage

Golden Polymer Medium Gloss in a 500 ml bottle is recommended
Using full strength is recommended
Be sure to let artwork dry for several days before varnishing

Gloss Varnish

Lascaux UV-1 – tested to be the best varnish to protect artwork before clear coating at Dobbs Ford
(You will need a 500 ml bottle to coat horse)

 

Each artist gets:
1. The artist's name, the name of the design, and the sponsor's name will be on a metal plaque on the base of the painted horse.
2. His/her name will be listed in the map pamphlet.
3. His name will be listed in all publications.
4. His painted horse's info will be shown in the GCHS program.
5. A proclamation from our Mayor.
6. Mentioned in newspaper stories
7. Two tickets to the auction.
8. Twenty tickets to the GCHS, June 10-14, 2008.
9. A $300 stipend for the completed horse, which is to be completed by May 15.
10. Ten percent (10%) of the auction price.
11. Will be featured on our website. You may link to the website.
12. His design featured, with all of the painted horse designs, on a poster.

Click here for a PDF of all 4 horse templates or here for the application.