Trail Art

“Trail Art” is an award-winning initiative by the Town of Rolesville Parks and Recreation Department that combines the arts with the natural beauty of our greenways and trails. We’ll be placing two art pieces a day somewhere along our greenways, for the entire month of June. These small works of art could be anything from pottery sculptures and glasswork to ceramics or gourds. Those who find the treasures get to keep them! 

This program won the North Carolina Recreation & Park Association's Arts & Humanities Award in 2022.  The award recognizes innovative and effective arts and humanities programs throughout the state.

Trail Art Event

Dates: July 1st - July 31th
Location: Greenways and Parks in Rolesville
Description: We’ll be placing two art pieces a day along our greenways for the entire month of July to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month. 

2026 Trail Art Winning Artist 

To Be Determined

 

Trail Art Application

2026 Trail Art Application

Specifications for Submission of Artwork
We're excited to invite artists to submit their original artwork, crafted in a portable and outdoor-friendly medium. We encourage pieces that are small enough to carry easily and suitable for outdoor display, whether on a tree limb or the ground. The chosen artist will be responsible for producing 80-100 artworks by June 18, 2026. Don't forget to include your cost per piece in your application!

Each piece should be uniquely your own, with the potential to reflect up to three themes. Feel free to incorporate any, all, or none of the following elements into your design:

• The Town of Rolesville logo, or elements of or reference to, the logo
• Other Town symbols like the Main Street Gazebo
• Trees, leaves, birds, walkways, or other symbols representing nature

Entries should be delivered by hand to:
Town Hall
502 Southtown Circle
Rolesville, NC 27571

OR mailed to:
PO Box 250
Rolesville, NC 27571
Attn: Special Events Coordinator - Trail Art

Please print the confirmation email and include it with your sample artwork. Questions should be directed to Kristen Stafford, Special Events Coordinator, kstafford@rolesvillenc.gov, or call 919-554-6582

Process
The application process is divided into two parts. In the initial stage, all applicants are required to submit their personal information, images of their previous works, and an optional photograph of a piece they wish to propose for trail art, subject to selection for the subsequent phase.

The second part of the application process applies to artists selected from the initial round. These artists are required to submit their artwork either by postal service or in person at Town Hall. Additionally, each artist will be compensated for their submitted sample artwork.

An artist may submit up to three different applications. The Parks and Recreation Department will evaluate the designs for Part One, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will assess the designs for Part Two. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Town Board of Commissioners. These members are residents of the Town or the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), along with one student member.

Artists chosen for Part Two will be notified by March 18, 2026. The winner will be announced to the public on May 1, 2026.

Recognition
The chosen artwork or design will serve as the “Trail Art" and will be exhibited along the greenway system and parks in Rolesville throughout July 2026.

The winning artwork or design shall become the property of the Town of Rolesville. The town reserves the right to modify the artwork as necessary, utilize the image on additional products such as ornaments, and incorporate it into all promotional materials. Furthermore, the town may use the image indefinitely for promotional purposes.

The artist who wins will be awarded:

• Recognition on the Rolesville Town website
• A story featured in the Rolesville REC Guide.
• Media recognition via a press release
• Compensation for artwork.

The artist agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Rolesville from any damage or losses resulting from non-original designs. The Town reserves the right to reject all entries.

Questions should be directed to Kristen Stafford, Special Events Coordinator, at kstafford@rolesvillenc.gov or by calling 919-554-6582.