Opportunity Summary
The Preservation Society of Newport County invites artists, designers, woodworkers, fabricators, architects, landscape designers, students, and creative makers of all kinds to submit proposals for site-specific, functional garden benches inspired by the extraordinary landscapes, horticultural traditions, and history of Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
General Information
The Preservation Society of Newport County invites artists, designers, woodworkers, fabricators, architects, landscape designers, students, and creative makers of all kinds to submit proposals for site-specific, functional garden benches inspired by the extraordinary landscapes, horticultural traditions, and history of Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
Overlooking Narragansett Bay, Green Animals is the oldest and most unique topiary garden in the United States. Home to more than 80 sculpted trees and shrubs, formal gardens, productive landscapes, and whimsical horticultural displays, Green Animals offers creators a unique setting in which art, nature, and history intersect.
For the 2027 summer season, selected artists will design and build imaginative, family-friendly seating installations that encourage visitors to pause, reflect, and engage with one of America's most beloved historic gardens. Each bench should respond to its designated location while serving as a durable and welcoming work of functional public art.
Application Requirements
Submission Requirements
Written concept statement (500 words maximum); preliminary sketches, drawings, renderings, or digital mockups; proposed materials, dimensions, and construction methods; brief artist résumé or biography; and two to five examples of previous work.
Application Instructions
Please submit all application materials as a single PDF whenever possible. Email submissions to: JDonahue@newportmansions.org. The subject line should read: Green Animals Bench Project Submission – [Artist Name]. Questions regarding the project may also be directed to this email address.
Eligibility Criteria
Creatives of all disciplines are invited to enter.
Important Dates
- September 11, 2026 — Open Date
- 11:59 p.m. EDT, Nov. 1, 2026 — Application Deadline