Winner crowned for Salisbury Prize public art competition: Get to know the artist here

The first winner of the Salisbury Prize public art competition has been selected.

Earlier this year, Maryland-based artists, architects and creative teams were all invited to submit proposals for the public art project, which is to be located in the Riverwalk Games Park in downtown Salisbury, said the City of Salisbury in a May 1 news release.

In April, a total of four finalists were selected.

Local artist Thomas Sterner, who submitted his idea of a Revitalization Stump sculpture for the Riverwalk Games Park, has officially been crowned the winner and will begin working on his public art project soon.

Sterner’s sketch of the project was considered by members of Salisbury’s Public Art Committee. Leading up to voting, community members were also welcome to share feedback on each of the four finalists.

The stainless-steel sculpture proposed by Sterner will feature a tree stump with many rings and a sprout growing out of it, as well as the opportunity for an internal lighting option.

Sterner will receive a $10,000 award, an additional stipend of up to $5,000 in reimbursement for materials, and an unveiling event after or at the time of the project's installation.

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“The Revitalization Stump will be the perfect addition to odwntown Salisbury’s Riverwalk Games Park,” said Allen Swiger, director of Salisbury’s Arts, Business and Culture Department. “Thomas Sterner’s previous work is impressive, and we’re looking forward to having him build this piece for our park.”

Sterner will have approximately six months, from June 1 through Dec. 1, to complete the project.

The Salisbury Prize follows last fall’s unveiling of the Salisbury Public Art Master Plan. Todd W. Bressi, a public art planning consultant, led the process, which included community input. This is the first major initiative of the Public Art Committee, formed in 2023, the release stated.

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Who is artist Thomas Sterner?

Thomas Sterner is a full-time artist living near Union Mills, Maryland. It is there that he has built his "Art Factory" studio, which contains a large workshop, welding area, and painting and printmaking loft nestled in the forest on the edge of farmland. Sterner works in various materials, including metal, wood, paint and ink.

Sterner has installed 13 public sculptures since 2019, including "Sprouts" in Westminster, as well as the popular "Big Fish, School of Fish" at Concord Point Park in Havre de Grace. His recent stainless-steel public sculptures include "Feather of Monumental Size" - which is located at the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory, stands 22’ tall and was installed in 2022 - and “Raventree” - located at Wakefield Valley Park and installed in 2023.

Sterner portrays thoughtful, sometimes humorous, ideas. The overall goal of his art is to make people think and smile, and to plant a seed in the viewer’s mind for further contemplation. He enjoys working large, and public sculptures offer him an opportunity to contribute to enhancing the lives of many people.

To learn more about Sterner and his work, visit www.sternerartfactory.com.

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Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Artist Thomas Sterner named winner of Salisbury Prize public art comp.