First Salisbury Prize winner is Thomas Sterner

SALISBURY — The first winner of the Salisbury Prize public art competition has been selected: Thomas Sterner, who submitted his idea of a Revitalization Stump sculpture for Riverwalk Games Park.

Sterner’s sketch of the project was considered by members of Salisbury’s Public Art Committee as well as members of the community. Since 2019, Sterner has installed 13 public sculptures, including “Feather of Monumental Size” at the Salisbury Animal Health Laboratory.

Sterner is a full-time artist living near Union Mills, Maryland, where he built his Art Factory studio, with a large workshop, welding area, and a painting/printmaking loft, nestled in the forest on the edge of farmland. He works in various materials including metal, wood, paint and ink.

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

Sterner will receive a $10,000 award and an additional stipend of up to $5,000 in reimbursement for materials.

“The Revitalization Stump will be the perfect addition to Downtown 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 from June 1-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.

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