Artist submissions requested for “Big Annie” statue in Calumet
CALUMET, Mich. (WJMN)- The Big Annie Statue Committee is seeking artist submissions to be considered for the fabrication of a large bronze statue to commemorate Anna Klobuchar Clemenc, also known as Big Annie.
According to the Keweenaw National Historic Park, Big Annie founded and served as president of the Women’s Auxiliary No. 15 of the Western Federation of Miners. Big Annie led daily parades of striking miners throughout Calumet during the 1913 copper strike.
“I encourage when the artists do their homework, I encourage them to look at symbols and the use of symbols within their rendition of what they might see the statue is holding, because when she did her marches with the 10-foot post with this gargantuas flag,” said Barb Summersett, art consult for the Big Annie Statue Committee. “She always wore and a number of the women that marched with her down the streets of Calumet were simple gingham dresses, and I saw a lot of the images holding a white handkerchief and I haven’t exactly been able to find specifics on what those symbolized. But hopefully the artists when they do their homework, like go back to Slovenia see what they were doing over there because she’s very much from that culture of southern Europe.”
Submissions are open to all artists 18 years or older who are residing in the Upper Peninsula. Entries may be submitted by email in a 300 DPI JPEG no larger than 6″. Each submission must be numbered, titled, and include contact information of the submitting artist. Images of entries may be emailed to summersettart@gmail.com. Please include “Attention Annie” in the subject line.
Works may be submitted in two-dimensional media, rendered in black and white, or color. No photography will be accepted. The final piece of artwork will be reproduced and used in promotional media. Artists are invited to submit up to two pieces for jurying. There is no entry fee. All submissions will be juried, and one final piece will be chosen. A $500.00 commission will be awarded to the finalist. Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2024.
The committee is also requesting donations to help raise funds for the statue that will be erected in Calumet. You can donate here.
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