Deadline to Sign Up March 22nd 

The Franklin Sculpture Park Fairy House Exhibit is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and strengthening community connections through public art. This exhibit invites participants of all ages to create and enjoy fairy houses crafted from eco-friendly materials, celebrating both creativity and environmental respect. By making art accessible and free to everyone, we aim to inspire a shared appreciation for nature, encourage sustainable practices, and build a welcoming community space where imagination and conservation come together.

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy invites artists and creators of all ages to craft an environmentally friendly fairy house for display in the Franklin Sculpture Park! As part of our Fairy Trails & Tales of Franklin exhibition, we’re looking for imaginative and sustainable designs that harmonize with the park’s natural beauty.

Please note: All materials used in the creation of this sculpture should be environmentally friendly. We encourage the use of sustainable, recyclable, and non-toxic materials to ensure the sculpture minimizes its environmental impact while enhancing our public space responsibly [keeping our animal residents at the park safe from consumption of materials, etc.]

Guidelines for Submission:

Theme: Fairy house designs should embrace the wonder of nature and inspire curiosity in visitors of all ages.

Materials: We encourage the use of eco-friendly and natural materials—think recycled wood, leaves, twigs, stones, and other sustainable resources that blend with the natural environment.

Size: Houses should be small and low-impact to maintain the park’s landscape.

Safety and Stability: Ensure that your fairy house is sturdy and can withstand outdoor weather conditions. Fairy architects must understand that their designs will be placed in an exterior setting with unpredictability of natural elements and public interactions; which is part of the charm of outdoor art.

Fairy house artists and architects will have their fairy houses on display throughout the fall season, welcoming visitors to experience the magic of Franklin Sculpture Park. Accepting all entries transforms the park into a living, ever-evolving tapestry of community spirit, creativity, and collaboration.

Guidelines for Creating Fairy Houses that honor the Franklin Sculpture Park Natural Environment: Each fairy house will be installed in ways that align with conservation principles, ensuring minimal disturbance to the landscape and its wildlife.

Installations will follow careful guidelines:

Environmentally Friendly Materials: Fairy houses should use nature-inspired materials that will blend harmoniously with the park’s natural setting. Gentle Installation Techniques: All structures will be placed without digging, drilling, or attaching anything that could damage plants, trees, or soil. This keeps roots, vegetation, and habitats undisturbed. [Installation will be handled by the Town of Franklin]. 

Animal Safety Awareness: Designs should avoid materials that could harm animals, birds, or other inhabitants of the park. By following these guidelines, each fairy house will enhance the park’s charm while honoring and preserving its natural beauty. 

Submission Process: Although all houses will be accepted, Fairy Architects and artists must submit their initial idea/sign up for the program: Visit https://form.jotform.com/243083654745058  

Submission process:  Asks artists to fill out contact information for marketing/label creation and asking artists to share brainstorm of the fairy house design/list materials. Deadline to submit is Saturday, March 22nd

Have questions? Please reach out to the Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Cory Shea [[email protected]]. Let’s bring a touch of magic to the park and celebrate nature through art.

Installation is scheduled for April 2025. Fairy houses will be on display from May through November 2025. Artists pick up November 2025