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09/22/2017 UPDATE: Honored to have seven of the Little Rock Nine at the Unveiling and Dedication of United by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild at Central High School, Little Rock, AR. 09/21/2017 UPDATE: We are in Little Rock for the installation of United by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild The 10-foot bronze commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the integration of Central High. Clay states about the sculpture... “I wanted to try to shift the focus from the historical to the contemporary. There has been so much progress made. I wanted to create something that showed the strides that have been made — something hopeful and uplifting.” The design features allegorical figures with raised arms working to interlock their respective rings in the effort to be "UNITED". Incomplete rings indicate that there is still progress to be made. A secondary narrative built on the surface of each figure demonstrates that both sides have a foundation of ideals spanning generations that must be transformed into building blocks toward something greater The dedication for this important monument is Friday September 22nd at Central High School where additional commemorations are happening this month to recognize the 60th anniversary of the integration of Central High. click for more info 09/15/17 UPDATE: United by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild was loaded onto the truck this morning and is on its way to Little Rock. The 10-foot bronze will be installed next week. The dedication for this important monument is Friday September 22nd at Central High School.
Two identical allegorical figures with subtle racial differences face each other raising their arms to interlock their respective rings and create this "United" composition. The rings are incomplete circles to indicate that there is still progress to be made in this endeavor. The figures face each other to symbolize the importance of removing preconceptions and discovering the reality that we are all the same and all deserve equal opportunities. A secondary narrative is etched onto the surface of the figures to be discovered close-up. These smaller figures demonstrate that both sides have a foundation of ideals spanning generations that must be transformed into building blocks towards something greater. The blocks are mirror finished so that the viewer can see themselves in the piece and understand we each have a role to play in the continued efforts that began with the Civil Rights Movement. Art celebrates post-integration progress Story published monday in LR demgazette...... By Jeannie Roberts Arkansas Democrat-Gazette This article was published April 25, 2016 at 5:45 a.m. PHOTO BY ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE / MITCHELL PE MASILUN Little Rock contest’s winner to sculpt piece marking 60 years since Central High crisis Shifting the focus from the historical scar on Little Rock to the strides that have been made in the nearly 60 years since Central High School was integrated was the goal of this year’s winner of the 2016 Sculpture at the River Market competition. National Sculptors' Guild fellow Clay Enoch of Colorado Springs, Colo., was named Sunday as the recipient of a public art commission for his proposed piece called United. The sculpture, which will be 10 feet, 2 inches tall and 6 feet wide, will be installed in 2017 on the grounds of Central High School to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the desegregation crisis. The state gained national attention when on Sept. 4, 1957, nine black students attempted to enter the high school but were turned away by the Arkansas National Guard and an angry mob. On Sept. 25, 1957, U.S. Army troops, under orders from President Dwight Eisenhower, escorted the “Little Rock Nine” through the mobs and into the high school, officially ending segregation for the state. Enoch’s piece, which he will compose from silicon bronze and structural stainless steel, depicts two figures working together to connect two circles. “The thing that struck me is the history is kind of ugly,” Enoch said. “I wanted to try to shift the focus from the historical to the contemporary. There has just been so much progress made. I wanted to create something that showed the strides that have been made — something hopeful and uplifting.” Enoch and two other finalists — Kathleen Caricof and Denny Haskew, both of Colorado — were selected from 28 submissions. “This is cliche, but you’d like to be able to give all three of them the commission to do all three pieces because they were all three superb in every way,” said Dean Kumpuris, the founder of Sculpture at the River Market and a member of the Little Rock Board of Directors. Little Rock Central Principal Nancy Rousseau said she was thrilled about the commissioned piece and is eager to have it installed. “There were so many good pieces,” she said. “They’re all timeless. All had great concepts.” Joseph Wright, a Central High senior, said the many sculptures to commemorate the desegregation crisis were inspiring to him not only as a black student at the school, but also as an aspiring artist. “The name United and the sculpture is very fitting,” Wright said. “I’ve taken an art class at Central every year. Sculpting is a passion of mine.” Artist Longhua Xu of Hot Springs said the subject of the competition was especially meaningful to him as a 1989 immigrant from Shanghai. His piece Freedom commemorates the Central High School integration with a clay, three-sided sculpture of three representative students. One is a girl with a book held in the air, balanced on the tips of her fingers like a bird to illustrate the heights to which an education can take her. Another is a black male student with a backpack and the word “Explore” chiseled behind him. The third is a female Chinese student with a pen and notebook in her hand with the word “Express” embossed behind her. The last is representative of Xu’s daughter, Ann Xu, a 2010 graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs whom Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed to the school’s Board of Visitors last year. “As an Asian-American, I had to teach her that she needs to speak up, to have her voice heard,” Longhua Xu said. “She wanted to be class president but said that you had to be popular, smart and white to get the spot. I told her to speak up. She became student body president. Now she’s in medical school at Baylor.” More than 800 sculptures from 48 juried artists from around the nation were displayed at the RiverMarket pavilions during the two-day show. It was the ninth show organized by the Sculpture at the River Market committee, which commissions artwork and then donates it to the city to be placed in various locations around Little Rock. Last year’s winner, Michael Warrick’s Mockingbird Tree, was installed last week at the northwest corner of Chenal Parkway and Chenal Valley Drive. Update 4/17/18: Installed in Little Rock. Update 1/10/18: Progress images #WIP Mark Leichliter's Interwoven design will soon be actualized and placed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2018. An intricate double mobius strip will be fabricated by Mark in Stainless Steel. 5/9/18: Installation day. "Silver and Gold" by Denny Haskew and the National Sculptors' Guild has found it's new home on the deck of CU-Boulder's new Admissions Building, with the most exquisite backdrop of the flat-irons. A true Colorado scene. 4/4/18: The bronze is complete and stainless steel substructure is attached, extensively engineered for a tricky installation on the rooftop patio. Special thanks to Art Castings of Colorado foundry for another beautiful job. National Sculptors' Guild will install the bronze buffalo "Silver and Gold" by Denny Haskew in Boulder at CU's new Admissions Building next month. Order a maquette and keep a piece of CU in your home. click here 12/20/17: Above are images of the casting at Art Castings of Colorado, that are metal chased back together and prepped for patina, then will install in Boulder at the new CU Administration Building next Spring. 8/23/17: The clay has been approved and the buffalo is heading to Art Castings of Colorado to be cast in bronze. National Sculptors' Guild will install the bronze buffalo "Silver and Gold" by Denny Haskew in Boulder at CU's new Admissions Building Spring 2018. Order a maquette and keep a piece of CU in your home. click here
Be on the lookout for more buffalo at CU. We've been commissioned to enlarge Denny Haskew's On Prairie's Edge for the Boulder campus. More images will be posted as the sculpture is finished and installed later this Fall. NSG Fellow, Gary Alsum's bronze dancer "Celebration" has been a part of an Art on Loan project in Owensboro, KY for the past two years. We just learned that the sculpture was so loved by the community that they are purchasing it for their permanent collection. Congrats to artist and Public Art appreciators! Update 8/28/2018: Our bronze Hippo #RoundBottomusHippopotamus by NSG Fellow Tim Cherry has found its new home in Riverfront Park. Thanks Sculpture at the River Market and the City of Little Rock, AR #PublicArt #Bronze #Sculpture #Hippo #Bench #RiverfrontPark#LIttleRock #Art This is the National Sculptors' Guild's 499th monumental Public Art Placement! Update 08/23/2018: Our Hippo friend Roundbottomus Hippopotamus #bronze by Tim Cherry took a snooze under #BlueNorth in the National Sculptors' Guild #sculpturegarden after a busy summer greeting people and enjoying the great amenities at Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel Conference Center & Spa. She’s now ready for a drive to her new home in #LittleRock thanks to Sculpture at the River Market . You can see we are delivering some Little (big) Rocks to Little Rock too and our #zen tea master #Sculpture Afternoon Sun by Dee Clements is joining them. Plus a few paintings. Thanks for loving Art Little Rock, Arkansas! . #RoadTrip #SculptureDelivery #MonumentalSculpture #PublicArt#FeedYourCreativeSpirit #LiveWithArt #NSG #Installation #HippoLove #TimCherry Update 12/07/2017: Tim Cherry has finished Roundbottomus Hippopotamus in a beautiful Pat Kipper patina. The first in the edition was commissioned through the National Sculptors' Guild for the City of Little Rock, Arkansas and will be installed in the spring once the site is ready. The sculpture is designed to be played on and around, placed directly on the ground, bands of different colors of concrete will surround the bronze to give the sense of rings of water. The donor has named her "Annaba" after the modern city built over the ruins of Hippo Regius in Algeria, Africa where their father spent time in the 1940s. Want one of your own? click here Update 07/11/2017: Tim Cherry has been sculpting the Hippo that will head to Little Rock. The finished clay is shown here. 7/26/2016 #WIP coming soon.... The National Sculptors' Guild is working on a fun placement with Tim Cherry. A Hippo Bench for Little Rock, AR. The bronze sculpture will depict a hippo appearing to be wading in water - in a shape and size that invites interaction - seating and playing on/around. Measuring approximately 6x3ft. Stay tuned for images as we progress. The Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is expanding to showcase additional artwork acquired through proceeds from the Sculpture at the River Market Exhibit. Quickly outgrown, the additional space will allow for more than a dozen sculpture placements. To start, NSG has placed Jane DeDecker's Shortcuts, Lil' Sis; Leo Osborne's Of Grace, a Dan Ostermiller bear - Le Grand Pere; and Big Bill by Tim Cotterill (the Frogman)
Click here to see more of the garden and artwork The sculpture garden features natural terraces and walkways designed by City of Little Rock's Leland Couch, Mark Webre & National Sculptors' Guild's John Kinkade. The design creates a more intimate space to view smaller works within the Riverfront Park and is ideal for hosting receptions, as well as, allowing visitors to enjoy the sculptures in solitude. The sculpture garden is located northeast of The Marriott in Riverfront Park and is just one stop of many public art placements along the Arkansas river to enjoy artist's sculptures from across the nation. #SculptureGarden #ArkansasArt #RiverfrontPark 1/18/17: National Sculptors' Guild fellow Wayne Salge's bronze "Sierra" will be placed in the city of Edmond, Ok this year. Stay tuned for images of the installation. When Dean Kumpuris asked John Kinkade and the National Sculptors' Guild to establish an outdoor sculpture show for Little Rock ten years ago; we didn't anticipate how much fun we'd have in the process. For a weekend every year downtown Little Rock has become home for the Guild, we've found the people embrace us as much as they do the Arts, and show this appreciation in a huge way at Sculpture at the River Market. So much so, that we have artists that don't typically do the show circuit make an exception for this top notch show. John continues to serve as the show's consultant. We love hitting our favorite cultural highlights like The Museum of Discovery, the William J Clinton Library and Museum, grabbing a bite at the Little Rock River Market, Sonny Williams, The Flying Fish, or indulging in a pint at The Flying Saucer, or a drink at Big Whiskey's; and maybe go a bit off the beaten path to Copper Grill. If you have not experienced Little Rock, this is just a small sampling of what they offer. Several NSG members are in Little Rock preparing for the start of the 10th Annual show. If you are in the Little Rock area, we hope you'll stop by... click here for the schedule of events Since our first Little Rock placements in 2004 for the pedestrian entry to the Clinton Center, the Guild has placed over 30 monuments and numerous smaller works with the City of Little Rock. These public art placements are made possible with private funds and proceeds from the Sculpture at the River Market show. The enthusiasm the city has for the Arts is palpable and we hope it spreads to other communities. We have 4 of the 7 finalists in this year's public art competition for the city. Vote for your favorite at the preview party April 21st..., click here to purchase tickets. Or visit the River Market Saturday and Sunday to see whose proposal won.
The National Sculptors' Guild completed the Clearwater Crossing Fountain with the installation of fellow Clay Enoch's "Union" in Paramount, California this week. Advanced Aquatics created the fountain we designed for the space, and the overall impression is striking. 7/27/16: The National Sculptors' Guild is working with the City of Paramount, California to enhance the corner of Paramount Blvd and Alondra Blvd with a striking figurative sculpture and fountain design symbolic of the coming together of communities. Clay Enoch and Advanced Aquatics will be creating the components. The city of Paramount, CA is placing National Sculptors' Guild fellow Jane DeDecker's "Touch the Sky" this year. John just returned from dropping the sculpture off. Look for it in a park soon. 12/13/16 update: While the National Sculptors' Guild was in Little Rock this week, we installed some of the final donor blocks on the ROTARY CLUB 99 Centennial Plaza. The design is based on the Rotary Wheel emblem and it's symbolism. Designed by NSG's John Kinkade and Mark Leichliter National Sculptors' Guild based upon the Rotary Wheel emblem. [read below to learn more about the concept] 7/19/16: ROTARY CLUB 99 Centennial Plaza Little Rock, AR Designed by John Kinkade and Mark Leichliter National Sculptors' Guild based upon the Rotary Wheel emblem. The Rotary Wheel emblem symbolizes work and involvement. The worldwide Rotary movement has real significance and tremendous potential. It has impressive statistics as to numbers of members, clubs, districts, and countries, international projects and contacts. Beginning with the Rotary Wheel’s perimeter, there are 24 teeth. These could be seen as the clubs, each prepared and willing to engage with other clubs or organizations around the world, with the purpose of doing good. The 24 teeth also point outwards to the many directional activities of Rotary through its wide variety of international programs. The solid blue and gold band, which supports the teeth, provides the strength which is needed to transmit power and hold the Rotary movement as one. It carries the inscription "Rotary International" and has four segments which represent the four avenues of service. The six spokes bind together the hub and the rim. They represent the Districts, moving the power from its source to the working elements - the teeth, representing the clubs. The six spokes divided by the twenty four teeth is a mathematical reference to the Four Way Test. The central hub ensures that the whole gear runs true to its purpose: the power and the energy created when people of like mind and are committed to releasing this energy; "Service above Self". Curved concrete retaining walls measuring slightly over 4 feet tall will diminish in height and eventually be even with the surface grade. These walls will be stained or painted black and will have vines growing over them to soften their edges. The Plaza will feature eleven monolithic blocks lining the curved retaining wall to the northwest. These stone blocks refer to the Teeth of the Rotary Wheel emblem. Made of Georgia Medium Grey Granite, which is a lighter grey color, these stone blocks will be more reflective in nature and less somber than black granite.
Nine of the eleven blocks will be etched with 20 to 25 names each, serving as Name Recognition Blocks. The block at the entry will be engraved with the name of the Plaza as well as the Rotary Wheel emblem. The block at the other end of the curved retaining wall will have an explanation of the park and could contain the “updatable” signage and QR code. All blocks will measure 4 feet tall, 33 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Stone benches will be placed along the other, more gently-curved retaining wall. The Georgia Medium Grey Granite benches will measure 16 inches tall, 60 inches long and 16 inches deep. The seats and legs will be made of same material in a post and lintel construction. Each bench will be etched with one of the Four Way Test phrases: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? The surface of the Plaza is yet to be determined, but possible solutions include poured concrete or decomposed granite gravel. The Rotary Wheel will be portrayed through spoke designs and could consist of 12” wide granite embedded into the Plaza’s surface or may just be lines scored into the concrete, depending upon cost. The widest part of the plaza has a 48 foot diameter. At this scale, the Plaza is not so expansive that a small gathering of people feels exposed and yet, it is big enough that it can comfortably handle a larger group of visitors. We suggest using landscape materials that will honor the blue and gold colors of Rotary as shown in the ornamental shrubs and grasses. Shade trees will effectively cool the area in the summer months of July and August. Ivy on the walls will give the plaza a softer atmosphere and set off the benches and Name Recognition Blocks. We also recommend a low ornamental hedge, such as holly, between the retaining wall and the sidewalk to prevent people from jumping over the wall. The central Rotary Wheel element is to be made entirely of brushed stainless steel. It will be oriented to read from the sidewalk and placed where its shadow will cast prominently on the plaza. In this way, it becomes an iconic signage element defining the Rotary Plaza while also being an eye-catching landmark and photo opportunity. This visual landmark will measure nearly 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. At this scale, the iconic element will be instantly noticeable, yet not over-bearing within the Plaza site. The shadows shown in these design drawings reflect the true sun/shadow surfaces for Little Rock, Arkansas. The shadows cast off of the central landmark element give a sundial effect. The overall design of the Plaza positions the benches in more shaded areas of the site, whereas the Name Recognition Blocks are placed to remain predominantly in the sun. Installation day 12/12/16 The National Sculptors' Guild is in Little Rock to install Fellow Kathleen Caricof's "Let the Music Play" in front of the newly renovated Robinson Music Hall. The 16ft high multi-faceted sculpture is fabricated from several materials including stone, copper, and steel. The artist selected the upright bass for its wide use in a variety of music, from jazz to rock as well as bluegrass and folk. The whimsical design has a cubist, feel and will appeal to the area’s many visitors. 4/27/16: The National Sculptors' Guild has in the works a design by Kathleen Caricof for the Robinson Performance Hall in Little Rock, Arkansas. The 16ft high multi-faceted sculpture is fabricated from several materials including multiple stones, copper, steel and wood. The abstracted upright bass was selected for its wide use in a variety of music, from jazz to rock as well as bluegrass and folk. The whimsical design has a cubist, “Picasso-esque” feel and will appeal to the area’s many visitors. We've just finished installing two more Tim Cherry bronze sculptures at the Arkansas Children's Hospital. Tim's Whole Hog and Bear Ball join over two dozen sculptures by National Sculptors' Guild members Mark Leichliter, Jane DeDecker, Clay Enoch, Herb Mignery, Don Rambadt and more by Tim Cherry.
Our primary goal with the art placements in the outdoor courtyard was to enhance the area with whimsical sculptures inspired by native wildlife. We hope discovering all of the artwork we placed here lifts the spirits of patients and families. Special thanks to Bronze Services Fine Art Foundry, and Shippers' Supply Custom Pack
7/27/16 Scheduled for placement in Little Rock, Arkansas this Fall is the monumental "IN THE WINGS" by JANE DEDECKER and ALYSON KINKADE, NATIONAL SCULPTORS' GUILD Depicting abstract-figurative dancers preparing for performance. The intentionally elongated limbs on the dancers emphasize their stretch. The heads and limbs of the dancers will be sculpted in the round, and cast in bronze while their tutus are cast in aluminum to create a bold, zig-zagged crescent shape. The tutu will be painted with vibrant hues. The paint will be a rich layering of colors for added depth. With a total height of 7ft and extending 10ft wide toe to toe, the sculpture will have a powerful yet graceful presence. The combination of figurative elements with abstract; the earthy tones with vibrant ones; creates a piece that has universal appeal. A study and garden size is available for separate purchase in a limited editions, each uniquely painted.
Update 10/11/2016: NSG Director John Kinkade and Sculptor Mark Leichliter are in Arkansas installing "Overcome" today.
UPDATE: 10/07/2016: National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Sandy Scott's half-life sized bronze buffalo "Ancient Way" is in its new home inside the University of Colorado Boulder's Regent Administrative Center. Special thanks to the University of Colorado for the commission, the University Facilities Management Property Services for helping Wallis and John install, Tribble Stone and JH Welding for executing the base John designed, Wallis for great photos, Sandy Scott for another gorgeous sculpture and the CU students and alumni for supporting the arts. #buffalobuffalobuffalo #CUBuffs #PublicArt #NSG #installation #CU #Mascot #CUBoulder #RegentRalphie Stop by Columbine Gallery on Saturday Oct. 1st, between 12 noon and 4PM, for a Tailgate/Send Off in honor of National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Sandy Scott's latest bronze “Ancient Way” a half life-sized buffalo.
This recent commission will be installed October 6th inside the CU Boulder Regent Administrative Center. Don’t miss your chance to view this new piece plus recent gallery additions, including a herd of buffalo by our other fine artists. We’ll have CU vs. Oregon State on the radio as you enjoy fall in the NSG Sculpture Garden with homemade chili and local beer. See you there! #BuffaloBuffaloBuffalo Donor Evelyn Traut studies the latest NSG installation, Gary Alsum's Wolverine custom designed for the entrance of TRAUT CORE Knowledge School in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Our latest installation trip in Little Rock includes Mark Leichliter's Mockingbird Mandala this morning at the Arkansas Children's Hospital. The artwork serves as a sun shade measuring 8ft in diameter by 12ft high. Mark designed the structure to be constructed on site out of lightweight material, the mandala is fabricated from aluminum powdercoated a vibrant red, with stainless steel supports that anchor to the courtyard. Two more mandalas, yellow and blue, will be added in the near future.
Leichliter's Mockingbird Mandala joins over two dozen sculptures by National Sculptors' Guild members Tim Cherry, Jane DeDecker, Clay Enoch, Herb Mignery and Don Rambadt. Our primary goal with the art placements in the outdoor courtyard is to enhance the area with whimsical sculptures inspired by native wildlife. We hope discovering all of the artwork we placed here lifts the spirits of patients and families.
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JK Design/NSGJK Designs’ Principal, John Kinkade, founded the National Sculptors’ Guild in 1992 with a handful of sculptors who wished to find thoughtful public applications for their work. Representation has since grown to over 20 contracted sculptors and painters; plus an extended network of 200+ artists that our design team works with on a regular basis to meet each project's unique needs. click here for a list of our over 500 large-scale placements. Archives
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