Several new pieces of art have been installed around North Georgia College & State University’s campus as the third annual North Georgia Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition begins its yearlong run.

The show, on display through March 2013, aims to make visual arts more accessible to the community. It features the work of Appalachian artists.

This year, a couple of the pieces were installed on the outer edges of the campus at the new Chestatee Building and the Downtown Office Building on West Main Street to increase visibility.

“The sculpture show, which is in its third year now, provides a chance to highlight the work of contemporary Appalachian artists,” said Dr. Jon Mehlferber, assistant professor in the Department of Visual Arts. “Most people think of Appalachian art as quilts and old-time music, which it is as well, but there are still artists living here and making work today.”

Sculptors who live or were born in one of the 13 states from western New York to Mississippi submitted images of up to three sculptures for consideration. Seven new works by five artists were selected in a juried competition.

Six works from previous years remain part of the display.

Sculptors featured are Bob Doster of Lancaster, S.C.; Jenna Kriegel, of Athens; Joey Manson of Central, S.C.; Andi Steele of Wilmington, N.C.; Wesley Stewart of Statesboro; Tom Holmes of Greely, Pa.; Damon Lusky of Dawsonville; Deedee Morrison of Birmingham, Ala.; and Kyle Van Lusk of Brevard, N.C.

Several students and other volunteers assisted the artists in the installation, Mehlferber said.

“It’s basically an outdoor classroom for the art department,” he said. “It gives the chance for students to study actual works of art in person, and helping in the installation gives them the chance to meet with the artists and ask them questions.”

North Georgia is partnering with the Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce and the Dahlonega Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote the walking tour of the sculptures.

Students from Gainesville State College pursuing the school’s geographic information science certificate will be mapping the coordinates of each piece to allow for an eventual program that provides information about each sculpture.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. A pamphlet outlining a self-guided walking tour will be available at the Information & Welcome Center, just inside North Georgia’s main entrance on South Chestatee Street, and at the Department of Visual Arts office in Hansford Hall.

Large groups should arrange visits in advance and guided tours may be available.

For more information, call the Department of Visual Arts at 706-867-2832.