NORTH JUDSON – The Town of North Judson, the Starke County Community Foundation, and the Starke County Convention & Visitors Commission are reminding artists that the deadline to apply for Starke County’s first-ever countywide public art project is Friday, October 31, 2025.
This exciting juried competition offers the selected artist a $5,000 stipend to create an outdoor, three-dimensional sculpture celebrating the spirit of North Judson – its history, character, and community pride. The chosen piece will be prominently displayed at Norwayne Field in North Judson for five years, beginning with a public reveal during the 2026 North Judson Mint Festival.
“This project is a tremendous opportunity for artists to showcase their talent in a highly visible, community-centered way,” said Jacque Ryan, Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development. “We want to see bold, creative submissions that capture the story of North Judson while helping us launch an arts trail that will grow across the entire county.” The winning sculpture will become part of the Starke County Arts Trail, a new initiative designed to bring large-scale artwork to outdoor spaces throughout the county. Future projects will rotate through different towns, making public art a lasting presence in every community.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Open to artists 18 years and older
- Works must be outdoor-ready, a minimum of 3 feet high, and constructed of durable, weatherproof materials
- Artwork should be inspired by North Judson’s identity (railroad history, mint farming, agriculture, nature, or other local themes)
- Family-friendly and suitable for all ages
Applications must be submitted digitally by October 31, 2025. Full details, requirements, and submission instructions can be found at https://tinyurl.com/PublicArt4StarkeDrive2025. Artists without a Google account may email their application materials to PublicArt4Starke@gmail.com.
Key Dates:
Artist Notification: November 21, 2025
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Artwork Installed: May-June 2026
Exhibit Opening: Father’s Day Weekend 2026
This is a unique opportunity for artists to not only earn a stipend but also make their mark on the cultural landscape of Starke County for years to come.
