(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- It was nearly 85 years ago when Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast declared that aliens from Mars had landed in West Windsor, NJ and caused a national stir. In order to celebrate this upcoming anniversary, West Windsor Arts, in collaboration with the Historical Society of West Windsor, is hosting a sculpture design contest!
People of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to imagine what these interstellar beings would look like as they transition to their new home in West Windsor, New Jersey. Entries are encouraged to take inspiration from the audio description given by Orson Welles, but also give an original and friendly spin to how these Martians are depicted.
Designs will be collected until September 9th, 2022 and then a public vote will be held to determine which design will be sculpted as the official mascot across town. The winning design will be used to create blank, fiberglass sculptures, which will be given to local artists to decorate as part of a separate design contest that will be released in the spring of 2023.
The winning sculpture designer will receive a cash prize of $500. Details and full parameters of the contest can be found at WestWindsorArts.org.
Save the date for the unveiling of the winning design, which will be held during a fundraiser cocktail reception on October 30, 2022 at the historic Schenck Farmstead in West Windsor. The event will also feature a talk by A. Brad Schwartz, author of “Broadcast Hysteria,” as well as farm tours, a bonfire, and food and libations.
West Windsor Arts is also looking for more community members to join the planning committee for the Martian Project. Volunteers will help in all aspects including event planning, logistics, fundraising, site selection, and more. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the mission of the West Windsor Arts Council is to provide high-quality cultural programming that brings people together and transforms the world around us by inspiring, educating, and promoting the arts and art appreciation for our diverse community. West Windsor Arts Center is located at 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, and is a five-minute walk from the Princeton Junction Train Station. Office and gallery hours: by appointment.
The Historical Society of West Windsor is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983. We preserve and promote centuries of history of West Windsor, NJ. Our headquarters is the West Windsor History Museum, located at the 1700s-era Schenck Farmstead at 50 Southfield Road. The Historical Society provides museum tours, maintains active newspaper and social media presences, offers scholarships for local youth, and oversees various community projects and events. To explore West Windsor history and to join or support us, visit the website or email [email protected], or call (609) 903-9013.
IMAGE: Scoutship by Eric Schultz
