Public Viewing: April 22–May 7
Lawn Art With Neighbors (L.A.W.N.) returns in 2023 and invites the community of Springfield to create a work of art in your front lawn for a city-wide public art exhibition. L.A.W.N. is a city-wide public art exhibition made for front lawns by community members located in and around Springfield. Created as a grassroots project focused on connecting our vibrant community, L.A.W.N. seeks to empower public art made by the people as a contribution to Springfield’s sense of place and the built environment we all share.
Originally established in April 2020 as a response to COVID-19, L.A.W.N. was created as an effort to encourage art-making and viewing as a form of bolstering mental health and community building during stay-at-home orders. Now L.A.W.N. endures as a public art opportunity open to all community members and art forms. Past L.A.W.N. exhibitions included sculptures, paintings, installations, video projections, podcasts, social practice projects, and more. In fact, L.A.W.N. 2020 saw 65 front lawn art installations created by nearly 100 community members. Participants in apartment complexes without access to traditional front lawns were encouraged to create art installations on their patios or balconies, where allowable by their building management companies.
L.A.W.N. continues to be a hopeful and safe experience during challenging times as an annual public art exhibition open to all community members and art forms. Accessibility is at the core of L.A.W.N., as all are welcome to participate, including children and families, people who have never participated in an art exhibition before, and professional artists alike.
All members of the community are encouraged to participate by creating a work of art using materials available at home: sculpture, chalk art, installation, etc. in front of their residence. This project is about expressing creativity, no matter the skill level.
“Springfield is a wonderful community filled with creative and active people of all ages. L.A.W.N. aims to showcase and celebrate that creativity in every neighborhood, from one lawn to another,” said L.A.W.N. co-founder Shauna Smith.
The Rules
- Create works that are viewable from the street or sidewalk. We are not in control of the public, but what you make can encourage safe viewing options.
- Use materials that are NOT hazardous- i.e. sharp items, oil/gas, etc.
- Use materials that have a chance to survive a week during a variety of weather conditions. (i.e. chalk may wash away if not covered)
- If your artwork is no longer on view during the viewing window of time, contact lawnsgf@gmail.com asap so we can update our map.
- Do not disrupt sidewalks – Allow for walking, wheelchairs, and strollers to continue to use the sidewalks.
- No hate speech or derogatory images.
- Do not use other people’s property without permission.
- Artwork created remains the property of the creator, and they are solely responsible for the artwork. Sculpture Walk Springfield, Springfield Art Museum, Greene County MU Extension Council, and Missouri State University hold no liability for damage or injury that occurs while creating or viewing art.
- Fill out the Participation Form by April 15 to be included on the L.A.W.N. map.
- Complete works and have them on display by 10 am on April 22.
- Attempt to keep work up and on view through May 7.
- Share L.A.W.N. with your friends and neighbors! How many people can you get to participate?
- Return L.A.W.N. signs to designated signage drop off point May 8 – 13. Location TBA.
Important Dates
April 1: Priority Registration
April 1-19: Pick up your L.A.W.N. signs.
April 15: Participation Form due. Your form must be turned in by April 15 to be included in the map. (Late registrations are accepted and we will do our best to get your site on the map.)
April 15-21: Project Detail Form due to L.A.W.N. team.
April 22: Photos of the finished project due to L.A.W.N. Team. Submit photos here.
April 22-May 7: L.A.W.N. Public Viewing
April 29: Kick-off celebration of Sculpture Walk Springfield’s 2023 collection. Celebration is 5-9 pm downtown in Robberson Alley. L.A.W.N. will be tabling this event. Stop by to celebrate our incredible Sponsor!
April 29: International Sculpture Day! Post photos on social media using #ISDay2023 and #LAWNSGF.
May 7: Official end of L.A.W.N. events.
May 8-13: Return L.A.W.N. signs. Location TBA.
For questions about this event please contact LAWNSGF@gmail.com
Interested in Participating in L.A.W.N.? Visit our Call for Art Page.
Need some inspiration? Check out the inspiration gallery.