 John Kinkade and Denny Haskew pose with sculpture Committed. The National Sculptors' Guild installed Charter Member, Denny Haskew's bronze sculpture 'Committed' at the Josephine B. Jones Park and Open Space in Greeley, Colorado this morning. The sculpture was donated to the site by NSG Director, John Kinkade, in honor of his parents, Jack and Ditto Kinkade, long-time, beloved residents of Greeley who frequently donated their time and services to the community. Kinkade was instrumental in the creation of the park 30+years ago in the name of close family friend Josephine Jones, a true pioneer of the region who enriched the community in cultural events, historic preservation, and as an avid proponent of natural spaces; many of the trees in the open space were planted as saplings by Jones. The 11-ft tall bronze is enhanced with gold leaf on the sash. We've mounted the sculpture to a 1-ft tall sandstone base that is inscribed: "Given to the City of Greeley in honor of his parents, Dorothy (Ditto) Waldo Kinkade and John (Jack) Henry Kinkade, Jr. by John Waldo Kinkade - 2023" The site is ideal for this sculpture, a beautiful xeriscape expanse of land (~36 acres) stretching from Jones' former home (now used by the Greeley Forestry Department) to the edge of Highway 34. The family's deep connection to Jones and the natural space feels like the right placement to honor all involved and we appreciate the assistance from the city to make this happen. (Special thanks to DC Crane, Tribble Stone and Kim Snyder and Will Dillon from the City of Greeley for assisting on-site this morning). #SculptureIsATeamSport   Committed by Denny Haskew The artist developed a love for all things natural as well as a religious respect for all beings on earth from his relationship with his father and Potawatomi grandmother. Committed started as a traditional crucifix without Native American context. The crucifixion pose emphasized the importance to follow a spiritual path and be committed to it. We are all free to choose and once committed to a path with our Creator we begin to see inner truth. "I give to you all that I am. My faith in Spirit is unchanging. Eyes closed I can only see love." -DH Literally, the bronze is a depiction of a member of the Dog Soldier Society, sometimes called a "Sash Wearer." This man was known among his tribal members as a fierce warrior and courageous leader. When confronted by an enemy, the Dog Soldier would stake the end of the sash to the ground with his spear, thus telling the enemy he must fight to the death at this spot or leave. Other times the Dog Soldier may stake himself out as his tribal members advanced into battle so as to say "I am here, if you retreat past me, you will sacrifice me for I will fight to the death at this spot." His double eagle-tail bonnet blows out behind him creating a circle, the circle of life for all living beings. The city will be adding a QR code to the site that will lead visitors of the site to learn about the sculpture.  Haskew removing the last of the rigging during this morning's installation of Committed in Josephine B. Jones Park. ABOUT THE ARTIST: Denny Haskew currently resides in Loveland, Colorado where he is actively engaged in the art industry as a sculptor. He received his degree from the University of Utah, then served two years in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Having spent numerous years as a guide and ski instructor, Denny has learned to love the rivers and mountains of the western states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. After moving to Loveland, a hub of successful working sculptors, he wasted no time in getting monumental sculpture experience through working with renowned sculptors in the area. Since 1987, Denny has created and placed dozens of monumental compositions; spanning the full spectrum of the figurative genre.
As a member of the Potawatomi Citizen Nation, it is only natural for his artwork to follow the Native American culture. His art has not been limited to Native American and southwestern subjects, however, as he frequently explores abstract forms placing emphasis on the qualities of the metal and stone used. As a Charter member of the National Sculptors' Guild and being close to other sculptors and the Loveland area foundries has helped him to master all the foundry processes involved in producing a desirable and lasting monumental bronze sculpture. Over 50 major public placements include the Smithsonian Institution, DC.; the Gilcrease Museum, OK; Cerritos, CA; Little Rock, AR; the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux collection, MN, and the Barona Band of Mission Indians, CA. His outlook on life and sculpture largely stems from his Irish/Potawatomi heritage. He states "....the strength of my artwork ascends from the spirit of the people portrayed - Native Americans, Mayans, friends, children, people of the Great Plains and West. This same spirit connects each of us with the harmony of nature and one's relationship to another." Concern with composition and fascination with the human form lead him to portray bodies in unusual, sometimes nearly contorted positions. Dramatically individualistic facial features combine with carefully composed body positions to reveal souls filled with emotion, scarred and given character by the circumstances of living, but never beaten by life. Haskew’s artwork conveys his innermost being. It is intensely personal and honest. His themes are recurring: Spirit, Love, Forgiveness, Healing, Relationship, Endurance, the Sacredness of the Human Spirit, and the Strength in each of us, the Power of all that is Natural.
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Update 10/18/2023: We’ve loaded up this morning and have #SculptureOnTheMove to #LittleRock AR. This truck has 5 sculptures, 2 bases, and a bunch of stainless steel structures for installation and footings. But wait, there’s more; we’ll have another two truck loads lined up for one of these projects. Special thanks to Denny Haskew, Mark Leichliter, Art Castings of Colorado, and Shippers' Supply Custom Pack for help with creating, packing and loading; and Landstar Trucking for getting our artwork to its new home where Sculpture at the River Market will receive it and Little Rock Parks & Recreation will help us install. #SculptureIsATeamSport  Update 9/22/2023: All Summer, into Fall, we've been at work on this multifaceted placement, craning out the bronze sculpture from the NSG Sculpture Garden to the foundry, picking out the stone pavers at Tribble Stone, checking on the basalt columns in Seattle, making templates for the sculpture and the columns, reworking the structural stainless steel undercarriage of the sculpture to fit the new engineering requirements, creating structures for the stone. Strategizing on the logistics of material gathering, packing, loading, shipping and installation timing. It's complex, but we know this plaza will be striking in the end and cannot wait to see the lights that first evening by the river in Little Rock. 
 After our initial site visit, Jane worked through some conceptual 'sketching' in the sand. All we can say is she #NailedIt! We can't wait to see what she does back in the studio for the monument. Sculptors are incredible!  Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by Hawaii's State Foundation on Culture and Arts for a sculpture placement at their renovated Ho'okipa Cottages, a part of the Women's Correctional Facility. We are really pleased that our concept has been approved by the commissioners and we are into the next phase of realizing this beautiful sculpture as a monumental bronze for the community. She is a universal figure of compassion and acceptance, representative of a Tutu (grandmother). It is our hope that this figure will provide a positive space for the women, workers and visitors, where one can sit and reflect, seek guidance, see themselves in her, or someone they love. The design is of a female figure seated with outstretched arm draped in Hawaiian lei’s that she is offering to her fellow Hawaiians and the island at large; in an expression of aloha; compassion, gratitude and acceptance. "Beyond a greeting, aloha can describe a deep love and respect for people—including oneself—and places. The ancient kahunas (priests) taught that living the Spirit of Aloha meant sending and receiving positive energy to everything and everyone in your environment." (PBS, American Masters) The benevolent gesture of the sculpture is symbolic of the traditional Hawaiian customs of 'Aloha' and 'Ho'okipa', the Native Hawaiian value of hospitality and giving. Native Hawaiians have always believed in selflessly extending themselves to others, whether they had close ties with them or not. This is an ideal sentiment for artwork representing the renovated Ho'okipa Cottage, where women learn ways they can individually grow and contribute to the greater community. The more one cares for the world, the greater the world will sustain and provide. Update 10/18/2023: We’ve loaded up this morning and have #SculptureOnTheMove to #LittleRock AR. This truck has 5 sculptures, 2 bases, and a bunch of stainless steel structures for installation and footings. The City of Little Rock will be graced with four more sculptures soon. The Sculpture at the River Market board of directors have selected the below artworks for their growing public art collection. We have loved working with Little Rock for the last 2 decades placing diverse work in style and subject, and look forward to seeing these in place.  Nothing to lose your head about, it’s just moving day to the mold-maker. The high temps made us wait a few extra days to transport the clay. Gary Alsum's Special Enforcement Bureau sculpture for our Tribute to Public Safety Plaza has entered the next stage of creating the master mold, then will continue on with the lost-wax process of cast bronze.  Update 8/4/2023: Gary Alsum's Special Enforcement Bureau sculpture for our Tribute to Public Safety Plaza has been completed in clay and approved by the city. It's on it's next stage of creating the master mold, then will continue on with the lost-wax process of cast bronze. The commissioners were particularly pleased by the amount of detail Gary has captured in the uniforms and characteristics of the officers. The K9 depicted is "Jack" a revered Belgian Malinois that was lost in the line of duty in 2022. "K9 Jack saved numerous lives and courageously protected members of the Bureau during countless tactical operations." -LA Sheriff Robert Luna Three of Gary's bronze monuments are part of a larger composition that our design team developed. The Tribute to First Responders plaza includes a Department Memorial and 9/11 Memorial and components that honor today's officers. We are always honored to be part of honoring first responders, and are really looking forward to seeing this project realized for the dedicated department members. Update 2/1/2023: The Female Officer sculpture has been poured into wax, ready to transform into bronze. She's already looking great!  Update: 1/5/2023 Things are progressing on the Tribute to Public Safety project for the City of Cerritos. Gary Alsum's fire fighter casting is nearing completion at Bronze Services Foundry. Not to worry, he'll get that helmet on. Certain elements on the sculpture have been customized to match LA County badges and gear. Next comes patina on this one.  Update 12/11/2022: We've completed the landscape plans with help from Diaz Landscape Architecture and site work will commence soon. As we designed, the overall 51-ft x 54-ft site will include: Three Bronze Monuments; 9/11 Memorial; Department Memorial. 7-ft x 16-ft Tribute Wall with engraving of Plaza Title, City Insignia, Department Badges and quotation; 4-ft x 12-ft East Wall with two engraved quotations; Concrete Plaza; Lights; Flag Pole, White Roses. Decompressed Granite area with Bosque of Trees.
Update 11/7/2022: Gary Alsum has finished sculpting the Female Deputy Sheriff in clay. She's off to the foundry to begin the bronze casting process.
 Update 5/26/2022: The Hardscape Design Elements have been refined and the stone is ordered. Lettering will be etched into several tons of granite for this placement.  2/18/2022: You may not realize, but monumental placements start small. On this one, we went REAL SMALL. John created a model of the site with our proposed layouts for the city to choose from. We've just been approved on our design for the City of Cerritos' First Responders Plaza which will be located in front of the Sheriff's Department. Our design team is transforming the 2500 sq ft lawn into an artful gathering space that honors first responders. Three monumental bronze sculptures by NSG's Gary Alsum will be the focal point of our Tribute to Public Safety. Granite walls will be adorned by quotes and insignia. A memorial will be placed to pay tribute to the city's fallen officers. And a Bosque of Trees forms a nurturing space to house the new 9/11 memorial. The entire site becomes a piece of art. We are really pleased with the design and how this will enhance the community. We are looking forward to sharing the process here, stay tuned.  The City of Cerritos, California has selected Denny Haskew's "Moulding Our Future" to add to their public art collection. The bronze sculpture captures a simple moment between mother and child. A moment all may identify with, as a parent looking onward in strength and resolve that all their efforts will go toward making their child's life as good possible. As the child, excitedly taking in every new bit of the world uninhibited by the worries mom may have, protected in her embrace.
 The National Sculptors' Guild is honored to have been selected by the City of Paramount, California to update their Armed Forces Plaza to include the new branches. A life-sized kneeling soldier pays tribute at the foot of a Fallen Soldier cross. This bronze sculpture will be placed in the center of a circular plaza, facing in the direction of the Veteran's Memorial sculpture "Unfolding" by Mark Leichliter. This also positions the soldier kneeling in the direction of the American flag, and creates a natural flow from one plaza to the next. The bronze sculpture will be set in the center of a 15-ft black granite circle that is composed from six equal triangles that meet at a 2.5-ft diameter circle in the middle. Seals of each branch are etched on outer diameter of the granite plaza. The existing Elks medallion will be placed at the center, between the figure and battlefield cross. Our design is shown below.   Denny Haskew's Strength of the Maker has been installed in the City of Cerritos Sculpture Garden. Additional landscaping will enhance the bronze sculpture placement. But it already looks like a good home in our minds. Special thanks to Advanced Aquatics and Capital Crane for the wonderful installation work, and to Shipper's Supply for getting the artwork there safely. Click here to see a video of the installation. Winner of 5 Best of Show Awards; ”Strength of the Maker, right from its title…to the strength shown even in the toes, is a statement on how I view my very inner belief.” -DH Only one casting remains in the limited edition of 21. Click here to purchase. Other prominent placements of the edition include: National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian Institution in DC; the Gilcrease Museum, OK; the Barona Band of Mission Indians, CA; and the Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum, Bastian, VA; Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, TX; District Courthouse, Flagstaff, AZ; City of Grand Junction, CO; Canyon City, CO; and major private collections throughout the US. 
 National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Gary Alsum is in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to install and dedicate the the Gene Bess portrait at Three Rivers College. Special thanks to the school for lending a hand, and creating a beautiful inscribed base for the bronze. You can find the sculpture on the entry plaza of the Libla Family Sports Center. The bronze depicts the coach with basketball in hand wearing his familiar suit and tie. We are very proud to be part of honoring Coach Bess and hope the presence of the sculpture at Three Rivers College brings continued good fortune to the basketball team's success. Coach Bess won a record 1,300 wins in 50 seasons as Three Rivers head coach while teaching two classes a semester, and serving as the Three Rivers Athletic Director throughout his career. At least 42 former players for Bess have gone on to coach all over the country. He became college basketball’s all-time wins leader in 2001 when he surpassed North Carolina’s Dean Smith and Richard Baldwin of Broome Community College. He was the first college basketball coach to reach 1,000 wins in 2006, the first with 1,100 wins four seasons later, and 1,200 in 2015. His 1,300th win came in what ended up being his final home game on a court named in his honor. Coach Bess finished with a career record of 1,300-416, won national championships in 1979 and 1992, coached in four national title games, appeared in 17 national tournaments, won 23 region championships, and is a member of four halls of fame. NSG Public Art Placement #544
Thank you TRC's Rob, Guy, Adam and Shawn. You made installation in freezing temps a breeze.  Update 5/1/2022: Sculptor, Gary Alsum next to the freshly sculpted Gene Bess clay enlargement. Now that it is complete. its way to mold and the casting process. Update 4/15/22: The portrait has been refined in clay and approved by the client. Update 4/5/22: The stone base with engraving layout is complete, and ordered.  Update 11/15/21: Gary has created a maquette for the monument, getting an idea of what is to be expected.
 Gene Bess to be sculpted by Gary Alsum for Three Rivers College 10/1/21: National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Gary Alsum has been selected to sculpt Gene Bess for placement at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The school has been hard at work raising funds for this commemorative sculpture.
The bronze will be a life-sized standing figure depicting the coach with basketball in hand wearing his familiar suit and tie. The sculpture will be located on the entry plaza of the Libla Family Sports Center in 2022. The former coach of the men's basketball team at Three Rivers Community College was hired in 1971. Coach Bess won a record 1,300 wins in 50 seasons as Three Rivers head coach while teaching two classes a semester, and serving as the Three Rivers Athletic Director throughout his career. At least 42 former players for Bess have gone on to coach all over the country. He became college basketball’s all-time wins leader in 2001 when he surpassed North Carolina’s Dean Smith and Richard Baldwin of Broome Community College. He was the first college basketball coach to reach 1,000 wins in 2006, the first with 1,100 wins four seasons later, and 1,200 in 2015. His 1,300th win came in what ended up being his final home game on a court named in his honor. Coach Bess finished with a career record of 1,300-416, won national championships in 1979 and 1992, coached in four national title games, appeared in 17 national tournaments, won 23 region championships, and is a member of four halls of fame. “He brought notoriety, he brought fame, he brought championships, but that’s not the important thing that he brought to our school,” Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said. “He brought honor. He brought a dedication that was an example to everyone that works there or walked through the doors as a student. He brought courage, he brought direction, he brought an example that was worthy to follow.”  #HappyNewYear
Thank you for a wonderful 2022. We love finding homes for our sculptor’s work, your support is so appreciated. May your new year be filled with beauty. You can always keep an eye on our big placements here: http://www.jk-designs-inc.com/project-feed #Celebrating30Years #NationalSculptorsGuild #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #NSGsculptureGarden #ConnectingPeopleWithArt #LiveWithArt #PublicArt #FeedYourCreativeSpirit #Happy2023 #artappreciatorsareourfavoritepeople The family has requested we share this event with the artworld, please attend if you are able. John will be speaking on behalf of the National Sculptors' Guild and Columbine Gallery. Celebration of Life for Carol Gold January 28, 2023, 11 a.m. at the Pavilion in Fairfax, California The Pavilion is located at: 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax CA 94930  Carol Gold working on "Time" in 2010 The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Carol’s honor to Democracy Now! KPFA, The Sierra Club, the Marin Land Trust or Planned Parenthood.
click here to read our other posts if you would like to learn more about Carol.  Jane DeDecker's final casting of her monumental bronze sculpture "YMCA" will soon grace the entry of The Ottawa YMCA in Ottawa, IL. Pictured here is the sculpture in clay in Jane's Studio when she first sculpted the piece in 2006. For this placement the family donating the sculpture to the Y have requested a modification to one of the portraits to capture the likeness of their daughter. These commemorations make what we do that much more special. The sculpture will be placed in 2024.
 In November, the City of Little Rock installed National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Jane DeDecker's Portrait of Daisy Lee Gatson Bates in Little Rock, AR. The bronze bust of the civil rights activist, Arkansas NAACP president, and pioneering black journalist (1914-1999), is situated in Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Park in her former hometown. The portrait is just one acknowledgment of Bates’ legacy in the river town which also boasts a Daisy Bates Museum, several named streets, and a “Daisy Bates Day” celebrated the third Monday of February every year. The bust also includes a plaque with a quote by the human rights advocate: “When hate won’t die, use it for good.” The outdoor sculpture walk winds along the Arkansas River and includes over 90 works of art in its collection. The Bates sculpture is near the Main Street overpass on the Eastern side of the art garden.
update 5/20/22: The bust and plaques have been cast in bronze and shipped to Little Rock. We will update with photos once the city has installed the memorial.   Jane DeDecker's composition of Daisy Bates 10/15/21: National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Jane DeDecker has been selected to sculpt Daisy Bates for placement in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. The honor to portray such an important figure is a true highlight. The life-sized bronze bust will be accompanied by a wall of bronze plaques featuring quotations by the great Civil Rights Activist. The public display of her image and words will serve well to inspire next generations to take her lead to end racial injustice. "I have been truly inspired and deeply moved by the strength and dedication of Daisy Lee Gatson Bates. She turned tragedy into her life's work in fighting against prejudice, segregation, and inequality. Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was a formidable woman who would not stand down." - Jane DeDecker, NSG The commemorative placement will be completed in 2022. Updates will be posted here. Daisy Lee Gatson Bates Mentor to the Little Rock Nine Advocate for Equality About Daisy Lee Gatson Bates... Daisy Bates was an elegant woman, physically small, though grand in stature when her determination to end racial injustice was involved. She confronted racism and adversity from an early age. Personal confrontations led to speaking out and heading large organizations; providing great change for the state of Arkansas, and beyond. No one prepares to be the face of change for a nation, Daisy Bates took on her role with grace and fortitude. Unwaveringly, she rose to all of the challenges, her diminutive body seemingly too small for the power she exuded. Small but mighty, Mrs. Bates informed and organized Arkansas' Civil Rights movement. Her resilience to the fear tactics used gave her a reputation of calm in the face of adversity. Jail time, fires on lawns and bricks thrown through windows seemed only to make the fight more just and purposeful. Though Mrs. Bates is most known for her involvement in the Little Rock Desegregation Crisis of 1957, her contributions etch far deeper. The weekly newspaper that she and her husband published helped inform and activate civil rights movements across the state, and beyond, before and after the integration of Central High School. From 1941 to 1959 the Arkansas State Press was one of the only newspapers solely dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement. She was known to publish controversial articles that others shied away from. Daisy Bates worked with local Civil Rights organizations including joining the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1952. For many years, she served as the President of the Arkansas chapter of the NAACP, providing support to many opportunities for the black community, assuring her role in the 1957 desegregation efforts. She was well respected in the community, even her opponents had to admit she was a force to reckon with. Her repose during crisis after crisis kept the forward motion of the Civil Rights Movement going; and her tenacious charge afforded generations of students access to their constitutional rights.  Joe Norman and John Kinkade with the sculpture "Protect" Public Art Installed at Fire Station 33 Public art for the new Fire Station 33, 4109 S. 134th East Ave., has been installed this week, and this commissioned work, titled “Protect,” is available for the public to enjoy. The 6-foot-tall, stainless steel sculpture is near the flag pole and public parking lot on the west side of Station 33. The Arts Commission of the City of Tulsa chose the design team of Joe Norman and the National Sculptors’ Guild for this project. According to the National Sculptors’ Guild, this sculpture, fabricated at Joe Norman’s studio in Loveland, Colo., is intended to “activate the site and signify the exemplary service of firefighters in a single, free-standing sculpture.” “The Arts Commission is very impressed with this artist,” Commission Chair Pam Deatherage said. “It’s an interactive piece that changes as you walk around it. Tulsa is very fortunate to have initiated, in 1964, a program where art is provided as part of the project budget - the 1% funded public arts ordinance - to include creative pieces on display at our public buildings.” Standing on a 1,650-pound sandstone base, the sculpture has red letters spelling the word “Protect,” visible from one direction. Two other perspectives show the gray silhouette of a firefighter. Also according to the National Sculptors’ Guild, the final side, opposite “Protect,” is “an abstraction, symbolic of the unknowns that firefighters face.” “To have the word “Protect” in fire-engine red strengthens what this word means to those in service and the community it serves,” said John Kinkade, director of the National Sculptors’ Guild. Norman describes his work as “creating public sculptures that show different images or words depending on the viewpoint of the observer.” Norman said, “I believe that having multiple ideas coexist in a single piece is a useful metaphor for the ecosystem of ideas that public art empowers and protects.” Joe Norman and the National Sculptors’ Guild installed the art with help from Tulsa subcontractors. “Sculpture is a team sport,” Kinkade said. “Thank you, City of Tulsa, the Arts Commission, Tribble Stone, Voy Construction, Barnhart Excavating, American Pipe Bending, Landstar System, and the community of Tulsa. We are so proud to be part of honoring firefighters through this art placement.” A public hose uncoupling ceremony for Fire Station 33 was held in September. Hose uncoupling is a fire service tradition similar to a ribbon cutting ceremony. Funding for this new fire station has come from the 2001 Third Penny Sales Tax and the 2013 Improve Our Tulsa sales tax. The Public Safety Sales Tax, which was approved in 2016 with the Vision Tulsa sales tax, has provided funding to hire more firefighters to fully staff this new station. - City of Tulsa, Nov. 16, 2022  Update 11/9/2022: Fire Engine red paint has been added and the sculpture has been set in its cradle, the stone has been drilled (thanks Tribble Stone) and everything is ready for transport to Tulsa.
  Update 10/14/2022: Our project with the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma is all but ready to install. Some Fire Engine Red will complete the look. Just a few more weeks and Joe Norman’s firefighter sculpture “Protect will be in its new home at Fire Station 33. Stay tuned for pics of the install.  Update 9/23/2022: Barnhart Excavating poured the footing for "Protect" at Fire Station 33 on a blue-sky day in Tulsa. Update 9/15/2022: Things are really growing. we're about half way through the fabrication phase.  Update 9/1/2022: The monument isn't ready yet, but "Protect" was at the dedication of Fire Station 33 in a small way. The maquette was present during the celebration, and even made it into the hands of the Chief. We couldn't be happier with the initial response and are also feeling great about our red matching the engine. #NailedIt Congratulations on your new Fire Station, Tulsa! Update 7/6/2022: Our project with the @cityoftulsa for their Fire Station 33 is taking shape. We are very excited to see Joe Norman’s firefighter sculpture “Protect” develop. Engineering is complete and Joe has created the final maquette. Full-size enlargement is next.
 Update 2/9/2022: Our project with the @cityoftulsa is finally underway. We are very excited to see Joe Norman’s firefighter sculpture “Protect” develop from the concept design to the study you see here. We will keep you posted as it grows. "I’ve been chasing down public art projects to honor service workers. Specifically those who put themselves at risk so that we may have a more healthy society: physically, mentally, and socially." -Joe Norman  6/9/2021: Joe Norman's "Protect" is earmarked for placement in front of the City of Tulsa's Fire Department 33. The 6-ft tall stainless steel sculpture depicts the silhouette of a firefighter from one angle, and the word protect from another. The National Sculptors' Guild's proposal of Norman's work was selected from an open call to artists to place "Protect".  Our initial approach for this site is to place a free-standing sculpture from Norman's word play series activating as much of the site as possible. The iconic sculpture will be fabricated from stainless steel,
with one side painted in durable epoxy paint to tie into the building's aesthetic. The first thing that comes to mind for us when thinking about a fire-fighter is the word "Protect" so that word is viewed from one direction. The other perspective shows the silhouette of a fire-fighter approaching their call to action. Opposite the word is an abstraction, symbolic of the unknowns that fire-fighter's face.  Jane DeDecker's "YMCA" is at its new home at Bloomington-Normal YMCA's new building. We're so happy to see it being enjoyed by everyone who enters this amazing community facility. Special thanks to the Dobski family, who made this placement possible.  Update 6/16/22: Jane DeDecker's "YMCA" is finished in metal, awaiting patina, before it heads to its new home in Bloomington, Illinois. The YMCA there has a new building opening in August! @bnymca Bloomington-Normal YMCA Always fun to see this cheerful sculpture come to life. #PublicArt #Commission #JaneDeDecker #YMCA #Bronze #Sculpture #DeDeckerStudio #MaddCastings #BNYMC #bettertogether #BloomingtonNormalYMCA #BloomingtonIL #SculptureIsATeamSport #NSG #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #NationalSculptorsGuild #workinprogresswednesday 
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Carol’s honor to Democracy Now! KPFA, The Sierra Club, the Marin Land Trust or Planned Parenthood.  The National Sculptors' Guild is shipping off another of Affiliate Jack Hill's "On a Roll", this time the a'peeling sculpture is headed to Little Rock, Arkansas for their extensive public art collection along the Riverfront Park. We're always happy to work with Little Rock.
We'll update this post with more photos once the city gets it installed. NSG Public Art Placement #541 Craig Campbell’s “Abracadabra” is installed in its new home of Little Rock, Arkansas. Sculpture at the River Market commissioned this magical piece from us a year ago. And we just love how it turned out, right down to the colorful patina. This sculpture depicts an aspiring Magician whimsically practicing his tricks for the attentive audience of a dog, a mouse, and a stuffed bunny. My inspiration in creating Abracadabra is as a reminder that there is a power greater than us all and it is important to look for the “magic” in everything. #PublicArt #JustInstalled #CraigCampbell #NSG #NationalSculptorsGuild #Abracadabra #Arkansas #LittleRock #Bronze #Commission #Sculpture #Magic #Magician #MagicInArt #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #SculptureIsATeamSport #CelebratingThirtyYears  Update 11/5/2021: The clay has been fine tuned and approved by the city. Can you spy all the hidden gems in the piece? He has included a snail, a frog, a mouse, dog and bunny. Maybe more... It will be a fun sculpture for people to discover all the tricks Craig had up his sleeve in the making of it. #PublicArt #WIP #CraigCampbell #NSG #NationalSculptorsGuild #Abracadabra #Arkansas #LittleRock #Bronze #Commission #Sculpture #Magic #Magician #MagicInArt #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #SculptureIsATeamSport #WorkInProgressWednesday Update 9/15/21: Craig Campbell has been hard at work and the enlargement is nearly complete. Soon the magician and their assistants will head to the foundry to be transformed into bronze. Update 8/1/21: The maquette has formed, and Abracadabra is starting to come to life...  Update 6/1/21: Craig Campbell and the National Sculptors' Guild will be placing a new bronze in the Little Rock, Arkansas public art collection, "Abracadabra" will soon add a bit more magic to the area.
This sculpture depicts an aspiring Magician whimsically practicing his tricks for an attentive audience of his dog, a mouse, and a stuffed bunny. My inspiration in creating Abracadabra is as a reminder that there is a power greater than us all and it is important to look for the “magic” in everything. In this piece I set out to create a fun, approachable, engaging monument to the simple joys of life, and the belief that with friends, focus, practice, and perhaps a bit of magic we can overcome all difficulties. A smile can be contagious! Abracadabra is meant to spread a bit of happiness and hopefully share a smile with all who engage with it. We’ve just installed Macro/Micro Discoveries by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild at Surprise Lake Middle School in Milton, WA. The school is phenomenal and we’re so proud to be a small part of it through this artwork. Special thanks to everyone; Tom, Don, Clint and Mark from @slms.sabers, Mike and Deanne from @artswa, installation expertise from NSG sculptor @markleichliter, @shipperssupplycustompack, @artcastingsco foundry, and last but not least - all the SLMS students that will enjoy this sculpture on their campus. #SculptureIsATeamSport “Macro/Micro Discoveries” is a statement about the explorative nature of learning, where new worlds open up, big and small, with a simple shift in perspective. The student body is represented by two bronze figures. Glass elements symbolize the abstract subject. The figures are united by a stainless-steel architectural frame, the window to the worlds of discovery.  Update 3/23/22: We've just met at the foundry to dry fit the glass and discuss installation needs for Macro/Micro Discoveries by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors Guild. We'll be in Washington the first part of April to install at Surprise Lake Middle School, stay tuned... Update 3/8/22: All the pieces are put back together again and patina applied. Art Castings of Colorado did a beautiful job, as always. The sculpture is ready for us to set up installation day. We are very excited to see this piece in place.  Update 1/19/22: The bronze has been cast and the figures are in the process of being chased together again while the stainless steel frame is fabricated. All coming together for a Spring install.  Update 10/14/21: The site has been prepped and footing/base poured. Ready for the sculpture to be placed. Thanks Thad, Paul, Winston and crew at Hoffman Reconstruction! Update 9/15/21: The mold was made, the wax is poured, the next step is casting in bronze at Art Castings.  Macro/Micro Discoveries by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild 6/16/2021: Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by Washington State Arts Commission to place "Macro/Micro Discoveries" at the new Surprise Lake Middle School in Milton, Washington. The sculpture is planned for installation in 2022. “Macro/Micro Discoveries” is a statement about the explorative nature of learning, where new worlds open up, big and small, with a simple shift in perspective. The student body is represented by two bronze figures. Glass elements symbolize the abstract subject. The figures are united by a stainless steel architectural frame, the window to the worlds of discovery. This unique composition meets the committee’s desires for the project: bringing excitement and interest for education, being relatable to students, encouraging interaction and gatherings, playing on dynamics of gravity, relating to nature, and inspiring the imagination. Macro is depicted by a young boy telescopically looking through a cylinder at the broader universe. Micro shown by a young girl investigating a cube within a cube. The use of geometry in the forms further ties to learning from nature's building blocks. The frame of the sculpture invites students to become part of the composition, gather around it, take selfies, and explore how they may relate to the figures that are depicted. Enlargement: Maquette:  The installation in Paramount, California was picture perfect. Jane DeDecker's "Ratification Flag", a 12-foot commemorative bronze looks incredible in its new home adjacent to the city's Veteran's Memorial Plaza which we designed in 2007. Special thanks to all involved in this project.... the City of Paramount, DeDecker Studio, Madd Castings, Capitol Crane, Martino and Luth and Tribble Stone. Inspired by the Suffrage Movement flag of the early 1900's, we proposed the flag be placed singularly as a monolithic form sculpted in bronze. This sculpture honors the 100 year commemoration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment: Women's right to vote. It also represents the present day progress, and serves as a reminder of the continued efforts being made toward equality. This commemorative placement honoring women's rights is particularly fitting for the City of Paramount as they celebrate its 2020 election of an all-female City Council, only the 5th time in the state of California. #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #PublicArt #JaneDeDecker #RatificationFlag #ParamountCA #Bronze #Custom #Monument #FineArt #SculptureIsATeamSport #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #CelebratingThirtyYears  2/15/2022: Things are really getting exciting now! The metal has been poured and chased and the patina is going on, Patina day fell on Susan B. Anthony's birthday!! We couldn't have picked a more appropriate date. Below is Jane with the 12-ft bronze, prepping and applying the patina. #VotesForWomen #RatificationFlag #PatinaDay   Update 11/10/2021: The wax panels have been poured for the 12ft flag. Chasing the wax begins to prepare for the next step of the lost wax process. Sprues are added to help guide the metal in an even and thorough flow. A ceramic shell is added in multiple coats surrounding the wax. This hard shell allows for the wax to be melted out (lost wax) leaving a cavity for the molten bronze to be poured into. The metal pour will be done at Madd Castings with more process to follow.   Update 10/25/2021: Jane DeDecker's clay enlargement of the Ratification Flag is under a layer of mold material and foam. It may look strange, now, but this is going to be a magnificent bronze banner in a few months. Jane elected a different material than the plaster she normally uses to back the mother mold because the foam will allow for larger panels that weigh less. Plus, carrying plaster buckets up the ladder 12-ft wasn't something anyone in the studio wanted to do. We're excited the casting process will be underway for this piece that is destined for Paramount, California soon.
 5/25/2021: Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild have been selected to create a Commemorative Sculpture honoring the ratification of the 19th Amendment & Paramount's 2020 election of an all-female City Council for the City of Paramount, California. The 12-ft high bronze sculpture will be placed in Progress Park later this year.
 Wording to be included on the back “In commemoration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution on August 18, 1920 that provided all women of our nation with the right to vote. Upon this Centennial, the City of Paramount celebrates its 2020 election of an all-female City Council, only the fifth such Council in the history of the State of California. The City’s record of inclusiveness dates back to its incorporation in 1957 when Gladys Iliff was elected to the first City Council and named Paramount’s first Vice Mayor. Councilmember Isabel Aguayo Councilmember Laurie Guillen Councilmember Vilma Cuellar Stallings Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos Mayor Peggy Lemons "The best protection any woman can have... is courage." —Elizabeth Cady Stanton, chief philosopher of the woman’s suffrage movement”  Jane in her studio with a replica flag sewn by her sisters. Jane has already begun sculpting the front of the flag as it is part of the composition for the National Women's Suffrage Monument.
Working off of a wax from the mold of the study for the Washington DC Memorial, the maquette gives an idea of how the flag will look. We are suggesting that the 19th Amendment go on the detailed side of the ratification flag and narrative for Paramount go on the other side where there is more room. She has put wording on the model, but on the enlargement the text will be smaller and more contained as detailing will be easier to achieve on the larger piece. The stars will be on only one side of the banner as historically this was how it was created. The narrative for the city will go on the flattest area of the side without stars. We may also want to have a plaque elsewhere on the plaza explaining the significance of the flag and its 36 stars. |
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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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