Sculptors Associations: Home, US Sculptors Associations, World Sculptors Associations, Wood Carving Associations 

See Also: Countries for Groups around the world, Art in Public Places/Percent for the Arts

Sculptors and Artists Associations - United States

• National Sculpture Society The National Sculpture Society is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States. It is master sculptors and architects like Daniel Chester French, Augustus St. Gaudens, Richard Morris Hunt, and Stanford White, who founded the NSS in 1893 and have comprised its active membership since. Current members continue to contribute to the great public sculpture in this nation, as well as being represented in museum, corporate, and private collections around the world.  Contact: info@NationalSculpture.com or (212) 764-5645 in New York.

• International Sculpture Center  The International Sculpture Center (ISC) is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the advancement of contemporary sculpture and to the professional development of sculptors. Through its activities, the ISC strives to educate the public about contemporary sculpture by promoting developments in three-dimensional art worldwide. Established in 1960, the ISC is the only international visual arts organization offering a wide range of programs and services to sculptors, arts professionals, and others with an interest in sculpture. To this end the ISC seeks to enlist as members all sculptors as well as those interested in sculpture. sculpt@dgsys.com Go directly to Opportunities. Computers and Sculpture Forum

• Portrait Society of America The Portrait Society of America is a not-for-profit organization directed by a governing board of artists dedicated to fostering and enhancing the practice, aesthetics and applications of traditional, fine art portraiture. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in the art of the portrait. See: Membership  Contact: info@portraitsociety.org or Toll free 877-772-4321.

• The Sculpture Center, New York The Sculpture Center is the only non-profit organization in New York City devoted entirely to the teaching and exhibition of sculpture. Located in a former carriage house that is owned by the Center, it consists of a ground floor gallery and three floors of school and studio space. The Sculpture Center School offers courses in stone and wood carving, clay modeling, bronze casting and mold making, welding, mixed media, and 3D computer visualization. It has a capacity of approximately 200 students, and its faculty are all working and exhibiting artists. The school has an open admissions policy, with registration for classes by the month rather than by the semester.

• The Sculpture Center, Cleveland Ohio  The Sculpture Center is a non-profit organization "fostering the careers of emerging sculptors and promoting the preservation of outdoor sculpture." We maintain the Ohio Outdoor Sculpture Inventory, are involved in restoration projects, have a gallery and hold workshops and lectures for sculptors. tsc@apk.net

• Save Outdoor Sculpture (SOS) is a private/public initiative to document all monuments and outdoor sculpture in the United States and to help communities and local groups of all ages and interests preserve their sculptural legacy for the next century.  Save Outdoor Sculpture! is a catalyst to save our sculptural heritage. In Phase I, 7,000 volunteers reported 30,000 publicly accessible outdoor sculptures to the Smithsonian Institution's Art Inventories database. Of that total, 45 percent were determined to be in critical need of attention, nine percent requiring urgent treatment to survive.  Contact: 202-634-1422 in Washington DC USA.

• Sculptors Forum !! An ongoing informal series of presentations and discussions among sculptors, The Sculptors Forum is an opportunity to put heads together and exchange opinions, resources and contacts among artists working in three dimensional mediums. Also featuring: - resources - gathering schedule - on-line discussions. On-line Sculptors' Conference

• American Academy of Equine Art The American Academy of Equine Art is a non-profit, tax exempt organization founded in 1980 at the suggestion of Alexander Mackay-Smith and Dr. Joseph Rogers, board members of the Westmoreland Davis Foundation at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. The idea was to assemble the finest equine artists in the country to exhibit together, share creative ideas, and, eventually, to establish a teaching organization - modeled after the Royal Academy in England. Contact : Lynn Wade, AAEA, Director of Publicity

• Sculptors Guild, a nonprofit organization of professional artists, was founded in 1937 to provide free exhibitions of contemporary sculpture.  Its members, chosen on the basis of excellence, work in a variety of aesthetic perspectives techniques, and materials.  Membership is by invitation. Once a years, the Admission Committee reviews applications of sculptors interested in joining the Guild.  Application deadline is March 1.  See: What's New, Member Artists, Membership, Slide Files.  Contact: sculptorsguild@earthlink.net or 212-431-5669 in New York, New York USA.

• Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America (ABANA) 25 years ago, the Artist- Blacksmith's Association of North America began with only twenty blacksmiths who had a vision. Their vision has unfolded with a membership that has grown to over 4,500 strong.The resurgence of the "lost" art of blacksmithing is unmistakably evident.  See:   Chapter List, How to Become a Chapter, The Gallery, Members Gallery  Contact: abana@abana.org or (706) 310-1030 in Farmington Georgia USA.

• Alliance of Artists' Communities Artists' communities are professionally run organizations that provide time, space, and support for artists' creative research and risk-taking in environments rich in stimulation and fellowship. Whether they are located in pastoral settings or in the middle of urban warehouse districts, artists communities have been founded on the principle that through the arts, culture flourishes and society's dreams are realized.  Alliance of Artists' Communities Links

US Local and Regional Sculptor's Societies :

• New England Sculptors Association - NESA, the New England Sculptors Association, was founded 50 years ago by students and teachers at the Museum School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Now, NESA's diverse membership includes sculptors of all types who work in a multitude of media and styles ranging from figurative to abstract, from miniature to monumental. NESA offers members opportunities to exhibit throughout New England, and sponsors lectures, symposia and demonstrations. We provide professional networking opportunities and an unmatched opportunity to meet fellow sculptors. See:  Current Exhibitions, Links to Members, Online Gallery, Membership Form, Consulting Services, A Guide to Public Art in Greater Boston.  Contact: cwirth@blueribbon.com or 617-787-2831

• Connecticut: The Society of Connecticut Sculptors We are a group of sculptors and their friends and supporters, who live or work in the state of Connecticut.  The artist members all do representational work.  Our styles and materials are very varied, but if you look hard you will see something real as the inspiration for even the most abstract pieces of our work. A group of us formed the organization in the summer of 1992 because the artistic climate was so overwhelmingly opposed to any hint of realism in art that it was almost impossible for us to show our work. Our first show was held in the summer of 1993, and we have had at least one show each year since then, and sometimes several. See: Board Members, Member Directory  Contact: rholden@charter.net

• Washington DC: Washington Sculptors Group See: History and Mission, Members Pages  Contact: mail@washingtonsculptors.org or 202 686-8696 in Washington DC.

• Baltimore, Maryland: Sculptors' Inc is a Baltimore based non-profit association of artists and arts advocates committed to promoting sculpture through exhibitions, member services, forums, and public outreach.  Contact:  Tom Pergola or Anna-Marie Hannawacker

• Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors the oldest women's art association in the USA, was founded by Lillian Burk Messer and Mary Chase P. Stratton in February, 1903, to promote creativity in the arts, and to encourage young women to pursue artistic careers by providing an annual scholarship. Currently, there are 176 members in DSWPS.  Application forms may be obtained from Susan Jager, Membership Chairperson. Call Susan at (248) 375-1931.

• New England Wood Carvers The New England Woodcarvers is an organization which promotes and encourages woodcarving, wood sculpture and whittling as art forms. Currently the organization has more than 650 members in the US and Canada. Meetings are held at the American Legion Hall on Great Road (route 4) in Bedford Massachusetts, the first Sunday of every other month. Most meetings include seminars, scintillating speakers, product demonstrations, and show and tell.  See Start Carving  Contact newc@newc.org 

• New England Sculptors´ Guild - coming soon.

• Pacific Rim Sculptors Group - We are the Pacific Rim Sculptors Group (also known as PacRim), about 15 years old and very active with lots of great opportunities for members. Our artists are mainly from the Bay Area in California, and have regular meetings, as well as show opportunities - at least 4 per year.   

• Philadelphia Sculptors "We are a new organization of professional sculptors (founded in 1996) based in the Philadelphia area. More than just an advocate for local sculptors, we are becoming a more visible element of the Philadelphia art scene through our exhibitions, programs, presentations, workshops, studio tours, and technical demonstrations. Past events and programs have included panel presentations on sculpture organizations and Philadelphia art galleries. We have sponsored workshops on carving, welding, casting, and art photography. Future plans include new exhibition opportunities, artist presentations, programs on business and legal issues for artists, and participation in alternative artistic events." See: Members, Events, News, About Us. Contact Leslie Kaufman: lesliekaufman@erols.com

• Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors was founded in 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to bring together sculptors, promote high standards of sculpture, and endeavor to uphold and foster all that shall be deemed worthy in the development of sculpture in the Pittsburgh area." For the past 65 years SOS has done that by helping to form the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, hosting an annual open sculpture exhibition, creating numerous public works in the region, and several permanent works in the city. See: Events, Exhibitions, SOS-Members Contact: web master.

• The Tri State Sculptors Educational Association (North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia primarily):  is now accepting applications for membership.  Membership is open to anyone interested in sculpture, regardless of style, medium, education, or location.  Benefits include participation in conferences (additional fee), participation in exhibitions, and subscription to the quarterly newsletter.  The annual fee is $35 (or $20 for students or those under financial hardship).  The membership year runs January 1 through December 31.  Contact: Bill Donnan, Membership Chair, 3017 Perry Blvd, Franklinville, North Carolina 27248-8334 USA. 

• Golden State Sculptors Association - The Golden State Sculptors Association is a non-profit corporation organized in 1986 to support sculptors and to provide education to the public about the sculptural arts. Our goal is to provide support to sculptors and to the community by offering workshops, demonstrations, competitions, exhibitions, publications and networking for the benefit of the membership and other interested individuals. There are two shows per year, one in Northern Los Angeles County and one in Torrance  Canoga Park CA (818) 893-2575.

• Peninsula Sculptors' Guild - The Peninsula Sculptors' Guild seeks to promote the appreciation of sculpture within the community through such activities as the sponsorship of sculpture exhibits. It has for many years organized the biennial Avenue of the Arts outdoor public sculpture exhibit which has attracted prominent artists in the Bay Area in addition to sponsoring regional sculpture competitions and shows. The Guild seeks to encourage the development of local sculptors through the exchange of information and sharing of professional opportunities.  Contact: arabella@art.net in Belmont California USA.

• Santa Barbara Sculptors' Guild - See: Club Information, Newsletter, Events, Members Listing, Artist Rights, Gallery, Links, Wanted, For sale.  Contact: sbsculptorsguild@home.com in Santa Barbara California USA.

• The Texas Society of Sculptors The Texas Society of Sculptors (TSOS) is a sculptors' guild. Objectives of the society include educating the public about sculpture and the many media of this art form, promoting the work of sculptors, and serving as a liaison between sculptors everywhere.  Austin, Texas (USA) (512) 371-7606  tsos@flash.net

• Texas Sculpture Association - The Texas Sculpture Association (TSA) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1983 with the mission to provide Texas Sculptors with the opportunity to learn more about the art of sculpture and to share this artistic vision with the public through exhibitions.   TSA in the past fifteen years has positioned itself as a major artistic resource both locally and nationally.  Members include artists, teachers, business professionals, small companies, collectors and large corporations, all of whom have strong interest in sculpture. See: Sculptors, Gallery, Links  Contact: webmaster@txsculpture.com  or (972) 680-9030 in Dallas Texas

• Red River Sculpture Society Headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, the region's premier sculpture group, was formed in 1994 by seven artists in the Shreveport area led by its chairman, Michael Don Fess. Its membership, over the first five years, has included sculptors from Alabama, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Hot Springs, along with many from within 100 miles of Shreveport, Louisiana.  Goals : To encourage public sculpture, To sponsor sculpture workshops, To have more and better art shows, To encourage artists to live and work in the area, To help make the area more "art friendly", To open and improve markets for sculpture, To meet monthly and share knowledge and techniques. mikefess@worldnet.att.net  

• The Marble Institute of Colorado sponsors the MARBLE/marble Symposium "The Marble Institute of Colorado (MIC) was established as a non-profit organization for the education, training, and growth and development of stone carvers. MIC will advance the development of stone carvers through a series of educational and training symposia. These workshops facilitate stone carvers from all over the world to work together in a non-competitive environment of sharing and camaraderie and to expand their common interests in stone carving." Email marble@azjerome.com

• North West Stone Sculptors Association NWSSA was founded in 1985 to provide access to professional trade information and to promote stone sculpture in the Northwest. NWSSA was awarded federal tax exempt status (501c(3)) in 1995. The membership (over 200) includes artists mainly from western Canada and the USA. There is an elected Board of Directors and five standing committees.

• Wisconsin: Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors Founded in October of 1900, the association was formed by a group of painters and sculptors who met in Louis Mayer's Milwaukee studio and was originally called the Society of Milwaukee Artists. That group of men and women met and exhibited more or less steadily from that time until 1913, when the name was changed to Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors.  The statewide membership presently has about 270 members representing all forms of the visual arts.  See: Art Events, Artist Calls, Joining  Contact: toritasch@aol.com in Milwaukee, cedarling@aol.com or 920-687-0540 in Appleton, haynes@zalucha.com or 608.836.9104 in Madison.

• The Oklahoma Sculpture Society meets monthly for a regular meeting and about once a month for a "Sculpt-in". The OSS has about 70 active members. The organization meets at the City Arts Center at the Fair Grounds in Oklahoma City. The OSS hosts 2 to 3 show each year and 3 to 4 workshops by nationally-known sculptors such as Peter Rubino and Tuck Langland.  For more information contact the President, Ms. Mary Greear, (mgreear689@aol.com) at 405-721-8849 or Neal Willison at Willison@worldnet.att.net.

• Tulsa Artist's Coalition The Tulsa Artists' Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in the region. (Link Broken, http://www.ionet.net/~wdawson/gallery/TAC/index.htm last known description)