NASHUA, NH – Nashua is unique in many ways. One of the most significant is that it is the home of a world-class public art project, the Nashua International Sculpture Symposium (NISS). The symposium was founded in 2008, and this year will be the 18th year of the only international sculpture event of this type in the country.
Each year, sculptors from around the world come to the city for three weeks to create public works of art. To date, over 50 sculptures created by NISS have been permanently installed around the city, forming a significant and beautiful collection to be shared with all. View the collection online HERE.
The 2025 edition of the symposium begins on May 8th and continues until May 31st. An opening ceremony will be held at the Picker Artist studios at 3 Pine Street on May 3 at 5:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. The artists will be working on the grounds there for the duration of which is also open to public viewing.
This year’s symposium is titled “IN THE MAKING” and, for the first time, will feature an all-female group of international artists.
The four women invited are:
- Valerie Funk of Germany;
- Danaë LeBlond-Joris of France;
- Yunmi Lee, of South Korea/Italy
- Casey Schachner of the U.S.
A complete artist biography for each can be found on the NISS Website.
Despite its high-profile reputation in the art world and the caliber of the artists who have been involved, the NISS is a very humble organization. It is a nonprofit that relies on contributions, volunteers, and support from the local community.
They cover the cost of travel, sculpture materials, and provide a modest stipend for the artists. During the symposium, the artists are housed in the homes of residents, and meals are the product of many helping hands. If you appreciate the value of public art, consider helping in any way you can.
This is genuinely a community-based project, and they invite the public to participate in multiple ways.
- Plan to attend the Picker Artists Studios for the opening (May 8th) and closing ceremonies (May 31st)
- See the artists at work on their sculptures between May 12 – May 28.
- Sign up on our website to bring/provide a meal (lunch or dinner) for the sculptors
- Volunteer with NISS
- Sponsor a sculpture or donate to invest in the cultural, social, and economic value of public art in our city
- Schools and organizations are welcome to partner with NISS during the Symposium