So, you’re thinking of commissioning a sculpture for your business or community. Financially, it’s a bit of an investment and you’re not too sure. If that’s you, this blog may help. Keep reading for some of my thoughts about ways you can maximise your sculpture’s potential and really help it work for you…
ON-BOARD THE COMMUNITY
Your sculpture has the potential to enhance a sense of community! We all know that working towards a common goal is a great way to create a sense of community. Inviting people to be part of the commissioning and design process of your sculpture can help create a sense of connectedness to each other and to the sculpture. It can also create a sense of ownership. This can mean less chance of damage or vandalism. And anything that enhances a sense of community in a positive way is a good thing.
So how could you do this? Here are a few ideas:
- Invite local people to contribute design suggestions. This could be an overall design but could also be elements to include. For example, my pillar at St Ives School incorporated elements suggested by students.
- If that isn’t an option but you have a few ideas, invite people to vote for their favourite.
- Run a competition to name the sculpture
- Ask people to create a backstory for your sculpture
All of these could be monetised but can also be just for fun. And of course, invite people to an unveiling!
HOLD A SCULPTURE-BASED EVENT
Depending on the design and location of your sculpture, one way to maximise its potential is to use it as a starting point for an event. This could be a free event with the goal of creating community or drawing people to an area with the consequence of them using local businesses and facilities while they’re there. You could also monetise the event by charging entry. Either way, your sculpture has the potential of generating income for your business or community.
An obvious event is an unveiling. You could include the unveiling in a regular event (eg an annual festival) to add something new and special, or could create an event around the unveiling. Local musicians, some local food and a few activities, free or monetised, what’s not to enjoy?!
You could also make it more formal with local dignitaries or – if your sculpture is a memorial – unveil the sculpture on a significant date.
PUBLICITY POTENTIAL
Your sculpture also has the potential to generate free publicity for you. Especially if you utilise the power of social media. Did you know one of my clients used a sculpture to help them sell a property?! It’s true!
You can read about it HERE but basically images of their batman sculpture on their roof went viral. It caught people’s attention – including potential renters and buyers. The same is true of sculptures like the Giant Hand of Vyrnwy and the Dragon of Bethesda.
You can still generate publicity with a much more simple design though. People are naturally drawn to take photos of and with art, particularly sculptures. Let’s be honest, I’m sure we’ve all fondled a sculpture, pretended to hold a hand or even picked a nose or two!!! Just have a sign nearby telling people your handle or a hashtag and hey presto, free publicity!
You can also be more intentional. What about a monthly giveaway for someone who shares a photo and tags you? Or a competition for the best selfie?
One episode of Stay Here a few years ago suggested incorporating the handle into a mural people were taking photos with. You could create a backdrop for your sculpture (as people will naturally take photos with it without being asked) that includes your handle, and again, free publicity!
MAKE IT A TRAIL!
So far I’ve mentioned fairly simple low-cost or free ideas for maximising your sculpture’s potential. And now we’re going onto some bigger ideas. But bigger ideas can equal bigger gain, so let’s talk about… Sculpture Trails.
A sculpture trail is a series of connected sculptures that can help tell a story or be part of educating people about the history of a place, the local flora and fauna, a person or an event. I’ve written a blog dedicated to reasons to commission a sculpture trail. However, I had to mention them again here!
An indivdiual sculpture has the potential to draw people to your community or business, generate income or create free publicity. But commissioning several pieces and creating a trail multiplies it all!
An individual sculpture doesn’t guarantee drawing people. However, a trail gives people an activity to do which means they have a reason to visit. Your sculpture is no longer a nice incidental, but it’s the reason they’re coming. And a trail with a story to complete gives them a reason to spend more time in the area, or to cover more ground in a town or attraction.
If budget is tight you could add sculptures over time as you can afford. And if you only want one, it may be possible to link in with a wider scheme. For example, my Face of Holt sculpture is part of Time to Connect, a national trail created by Alistair Morrison. Why not chat to others and see if you can create a multi-site trail between you?
SELL THE STORY!
This final suggestion for maximising your sculpture’s potential works best with a trail, but there’s potential for it to work with an individual sculpture too…
Commission a book with your sculpture!
A book is a great way to maximise your sculpture’s potential. Visitors who enjoyed your trail/event can purchase the book which gives you a stream of income off the back of your sculpture. However, you could also have a much wider customer base.
A few years ago my wife Liz wrote the story for the Lower Farm Holiday Cottages sculpture trail, and as well as creating the sculpture trail, I illustrated the story for a book. It’s now published and sold as Fudge’s Evening Adventure in aid of Alder Hey Hospital. It appeals to visitors to the trail, but also stands alone as a sweet children’s story about a dachsund named Fudge, and sells on the Alder Hey website.
If this idea appeals to you or you even just want to explore the possibility, do chat to me when you commission your sculpture.
So, these are just a few ideas for maximising your sculpture’s potential. I hope they’ve been helpful. Have you got any other ideas? Drop a comment and share your thoughts!
And if you’re now thinking of commissioning something, get in touch via www.treecarving.co.uk/contact. I’d love to chat about your ideas and make something unique that can enhance your home, business or community.