Auburn Creative District Seeks Artists and Sponsors for Honeybee Public Art Project

The Auburn Creative District is moving forward with a new public art project that will bring artist-designed honeybee sculptures to the community, celebrating a piece of Auburn’s history while adding colorful, creative works of art throughout the district.
The Creative District has purchased 13 honeybee sculptures that will serve as the beginning of the project. Now, the district is inviting artists to submit designs for the sculptures and giving businesses, organizations and individuals the opportunity to sponsor additional honeybees, allowing the project to grow beyond the initial 13.
The honeybee has a special connection to Auburn. Nebraska’s designation of the honeybee as the state insect began with third-grade students at Auburn’s Calvert Elementary School and their teacher, Louise Howe. Their efforts ultimately led to the honeybee being officially designated Nebraska’s state insect in 1975.
That history has become an important part of the Auburn Creative District’s identity and its work to tell Auburn’s story through art, placemaking and community experiences.
Call to Artists
Artists are invited to submit original designs that will transform the honeybee sculptures into unique works of public art. Selected artists will bring their designs to life on the three-dimensional sculptures, which will eventually be displayed throughout Auburn.
Artists interested in participating can request the complete Call to Artists packet from the Auburn Creative District. The packet includes project details, design requirements, artist compensation, submission information and important deadlines.
Call to Sponsors
The Creative District is also inviting businesses, organizations and individuals to become part of the growing project by sponsoring an additional honeybee sculpture.
The district’s initial 13 sculptures have already been purchased, so each new sponsorship will add another honeybee to the project. For example, five additional sponsorships would grow the collection from 13 to 18 sculptures.
Sponsors will have an opportunity to support public art while becoming part of a project designed to celebrate Auburn’s creativity, history and community identity.
Sponsorship information, including project details and recognition opportunities, is available in the Auburn Honeybee sponsorship packet.
For more information or to request a packet, contact, Leslie Clark at [email protected] or 402-414-7850