![]() 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.
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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. ![]() 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.” ![]() We just completed our installation of Gary Alsum's bronze "Mother Cabrini" at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church vehicular entry located on Cabrini Drive in Lafayette, Colorado. Thanks everyone who helped make this placement a success! ![]() UPDATE 8/15/21: Looking pretty finished in bronze with a fresh patina at Bronze Services of Colorado ![]() UPDATE 2/18/21: Gary Alsum and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected to sculpt Mother Cabrini for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church vehicular entry located on Cabrini Drive in Lafayette, Colorado. Gary elected to depict Mother Cabrini, (also known as Saint Frances Cabrini), with children to show the nun's lifelong dedication to helping the poor, the sick, immigrants and those less fortune; forming schools and orphanages around the world in the late 1800's. The bronze sculpture will be 8-ft tall, mounted on a trio of off-set hexagonal sandstone for an overall height of 11-12-feet. A natural pathway will be laid to allow visitors to experience the sculpture's details. We anticipate installation in late-Spring 2021. About Cabrini... The youngest of thirteen children, Frances Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850 in a small village called S’ant Angelo Lodigiano near the city of Milan, Italy. She grew up enthralled by the stories of missionaries and made up her mind to join a religious order. Because of her frail health, she was not permitted to join the Daughters of the Sacred Heart who had been her teachers and under whose guidance she obtained her teaching certificate. However, in 1880, with seven young women, Frances founded the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was as resourceful as she was prayerful, finding people who would donate what she needed in money, time, labor and support. She and her sisters wanted to be missionaries in China; she visited Rome to obtain an audience with Pope Leo XIII. The Pope told Frances to go “not to the East, but to the West” to New York rather than to China as she had expected. She was to help the thousands of Italian immigrants already in the United States. In 1889, New York seemed to be filled with chaos and poverty, and into this new world stepped Mother Frances Cabrini and her sister companions. Cabrini organized catechism and education classes for the Italian immigrants and provided for the needs of the many orphans. She established schools and orphanages despite tremendous odds. Soon, requests for her to open schools came to Frances Cabrini from all over the world. She traveled to Europe, Central and South America and throughout the United States. She made 23 trans-Atlantic crossings and established 67 institutions: schools, hospitals and orphanages. Her activity was relentless until her death. On December 22, 1917, in Chicago, she died. In 1946, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in recognition of her holiness and service to mankind and was named Patroness of Immigrants in 1950. Process, from maquette to cast bronze enlargement![]() Our beautiful Burro Trio has landed in their new home in Southlake, Texas. This is a fun placement by Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild. Sometimes it's nice to have something light-hearted like this to work on. The Donkey's were commissioned by the city to pay tribute to the history of the site. Our installation for this has been on hold due to the pandemic, so we are so happy to see it actualized today. We hope the visitors to Southlake Commons love being greeted by this charismatic family. #PublicArt NSG Placement 525 The bronze is available as a limited edition as a set or individually, add them to your art collection, shop online here. Update 2/20/2019: Jane has been busy adding clay to the armatures and the Burro Trio enlargement is nearly complete. They are coming to life and showing so much personality. #WIP ![]() 1/15/19: We are thrilled to have a new project with the City of Southlake. This time it's a fun homage to the burros that called the area being developed home: "When plans for Southlake Commons were brought forward, the developer Sage Group, Inc. and the City Council agreed to place a bronze donkey sculpture near the Southlake Boulevard entrance to commemorate the property’s history." The city came to NSG seeking an artist, and we of course recommended one of the nation's top figurative sculptors, Jane DeDecker. She's captured the quirky personality of the treasured donkey's so well, it's a perfect fit. In the initial clay sketch: Depicted are two adults and a baby. One adult shows affection to the baby and the other looks off in a direction of a sound - showing both the nurturing and inquisitive curiosity of burros.
![]() 10/5/2019: The National Sculptors' Guild has loaded up NSG Fellow Jane DeDecker’s “Arkansas Nineteenth Amendment Memorial” bronze sculpture with its custom designed granite and stainless-steel base and are headed to Little Rock Arkansas... Fable is supervising the load. Stay tuned for pics of the installation. The sculpture celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, Granting Women the Right To Vote Jane customized the composition for the Arkansas placement, by including additional historic figures; two of the suffragettes who helped lead the movement in Arkansas. Josephine Miller Brown and Julia Burnell Babcock aka Bernie Babcock In 1919, Arkansas became the 12th state to approve the 19th Amendment. The Arkansas 19th Amendment Memorial will be dedicated October 10th at 11am in the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Plaza at Little Rock's Riverfront Park This 5-ft version (minus the two extra figures) is the #Maquette for DeDecker's Every Word We Utter 20-ft #Monument proposed for placement in DC with bills currently being passed through the various points of #legislature. #BePartOfTheCircle learn more... So many more phenomenal women were involved in this movement than depicted here. We honor them all with gratitude for the steps they made for ours and future generations. #SusanBAnthony #ElizabethCadyStanton #SojournerTruth #HarrietStantonBlatch #AlicePaul #IdaBWells #NotableWomen #WomensRights #Vote #Historic #BraveWomen #FigurativeArt #SuffrageMovement #TheirMovementOurMonument #ThanksFable #ArtDog #RhodesianRidgeback
11/3/2019: The last several months have been filled with sculpting and casting for this project. #process. ![]() 6/20/2019: The Adam's County Arts Committee has approved our proposal for the second area for art at the new Riverdale Animal Shelter. Two sculptures by Daniel Glanz and the National Sculptors' Guild will be placed in the calming garden. In this quieter placement we have a mouse curled up next to a sleeping cat in this unlikely pairing as they take a break from the ‘race’. The bronze is placed on a large sandstone natural bench, inviting visitors to sit next to Sweet Dreams for a moment of respite. Finally, Grassland Trio again combines stainless steel with bronze, depicting a rabbit, lizard and bird united by tall grasses representing the natural beauty of the area, and a few of the other (maybe lesser known) pets that the shelter assists. ![]() 2/8/2019: Daniel Glanz and the National Sculptors' Guild are happy to announce our design for Adams County's new Riverdale Animal Shelter was accepted and will be realized in the coming year. We will post updates here as the sculpture evolves. Energetic and enthusiastically welcoming, this piece creates an immediate connection for the public with the shelter; becoming an iconic entrance piece for the Riverdale Animal Shelter. A dog leaps in the air to catch a frisbee. Across the entry one sees the young child that threw the frisbee. In-between, a cat sitting on the provided bench has it’s paw up in a futile attempt to intercept. The dog and cat will include sculpted details specific to Riverdale, including the names “River” and “Dale” inscribed on collars – reinforcing proper care of pets. The frisbee may include the Riverdale logo. The sculptures will be cast in bronze and scaled at life-size, the frisbee and abstract element that the dog attaches to will be fabricated stainless steel. Patina on the bronze will be warm-browns. The breeds of the cat and dog will be nondescript for universal appeal. The child will be sculpted gender neutral and racially ambiguous for optimum inclusiveness of all visitors to the Riverdale Animal Shelter. Utilizing the existing bench for the cat invites visitors to sit next to the sculpture and be part of the composition. The artwork provides multiple photo opportunities to capture happy adoption moments. The term 'Leaps and Bounds' is used to emphasize that someone or something is improving or increasing quickly and greatly... this absolutely rings true for the animals that are sheltered and adopted here. The sculpture demonstrates the health and vitality that comes from our connection with our pets. It also sets the tone for visitors to the shelter; as one enters the facility; they know this to be a place where animals thrive. ![]() The National Sculptors' Guild is in Little Rock for this year’s Sculpture at the River Market and to install Carol Gold’s “Infinite Dance” Watch for more images of the finished product. #FeedYourCreativeSpirit #PublicArt Carol Gold's INFINITE DANCE proposal won the 2018 competition. Inspiration springs from notions of equilibrium and transformation, ideas that are necessary for the sustained health of society The joyfully dancing figure represents the vibrant cultural scene of the Riverfront Park. The sculpture’s ring shape ties into the curving bridges surrounding the site. The shape of a circle holds deep symbolism, referring to concepts such as: inclusion, unity, and wholeness. Loaded onto the truck at Art Castings of Colorado in Loveland with a beautiful custom crate by Shipper's Supply, "Infinite Dance" is on its way to its new home in Little Rock, Arkansas. #SculptureIsATeamSport see our post Little Rock Finalists Announced to learn more
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"Every Word We Utter" is a Monument to the Women's Suffrage Movement. The monument commemorates the largest nonviolent revolution in our nation’s history — the movement for women’s right to vote. Dedicated to Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the monument will mark the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, the women's right to vote.
DeDecker elected to depict multiple figures in the monument as a reminder that it took a whole group of women to accomplish this right. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are shown collaborating on the 19th amendment. Ida B Wells and Alice Paul are shown paying homage to the women before them; standing on the shoulders of giants(Sojourner Truth, Harriet Stanton Blatch, Anthony and Stanton, etc). Signatures of the group of women it took surround the monument. The immensity and scale needed to equal the magnitude of the movement. Bold and Beautiful just like those women who fought for our rights. “Every word we utter, every act we perform … are wafted into enumerable other circles …” Elizabeth Cady Stanton reflecting on the life of Lucretia Mott. "When we see them (historic female figures), we're reminded. It's important that we see these women, every day. Seeing them every day will help us to remember their goals and remember their aspirations. Sending a message to every woman that they do have a voice and they can use their voice. I hope the monument inspires young women..., little girls." - Jane DeDecker
Help build the Monument and Commemorate the Women's Movement and the Right to Vote..., 100 years on August 18, 2020. Be part of the circle, contribute to NSG Fellow Jane DeDecker's Every Word We Utter
DeDecker Studio is currently working on placing the 20-ft tall monument in Washington, DC. Once fully funded, this important bronze sculpture will be placed in a location of national prominence to inspire future generations. Track the progress of HR 473 (sponsor Congressman Joe Neguse) in the US Congress: The 5-ft tall bronze and granite maquette will be placed as a limited edition in other appropriate spaces across the nation. Proceeds from these national sales of the maquette will help make the monument possible. Please contact the National Sculptors' Guild if your public art program has a site for this important piece.
Jane has begun work on the monument, below are studio images of the armature and early stages of adding clay, the 5ft maquette is used for reference as she sculpts the enlargement.
This post is an update to a previous one; see the original from 2018 here
Update 12/6/2018: The Legacy Project is our 500th Public Art Placement! More elements and finish work has been going in since placing the sculpture. We anticipate a great celebration once the plaza of The Foundry opens to the public. ![]() Update 11/20/2018: We were downtown completing the installation this afternoon. The bronze is in! "Reaching Our Goal" by Denny Haskew and the National Sculptors' Guild is the final element to go in of The Rotary Club of Thompson Valley's Legacy Project at The Foundry The Legacy Project is the National Sculptors’ Guild’s 500th Public Art Placement! We are so excited to be celebrating this moment in Loveland, Colorado where we've been headquartered since 1992. We have donated our portion of the project back to the placement to give back to the community that has supported us through the years. #FullCircle #ReachingOurGoal ![]() Update 11/16/2018: Today was a huge step in the installation of The Legacy Project. Over 68,000 lbs of Dakota sandstone was craned into the site and set by Denny Haskew and the National Sculptors' Guild. Next week the final stone and bronze element will be placed. The Rotary Club of Thompson Valley's "Legacy Project" will activate the plaza of The Foundry, a new development that is transforming Loveland's historic downtown. The installation includes "Reaching Our Goal" bronze sculpture by National Sculptors' Guild Charter Member Denny Haskew ![]() Update 11/14/2018: Our 500th Public Art Placement is going in this week! Stay tuned to our social media posts for updates. We're so excited that we're celebrating this moment in Loveland, CO where we've been headquartered since 1992. #FullCircle Pictured to the left is the top stone being drilled at Art Castings of Colorado where the bronze was cast. The bronze is cast and ready for patina. The other stone monoliths are being loaded to deliver to the site. The installation will take a couple of days of craning in 34 tons of stone. The bronze is scheduled to go in next Tuesday to finish it off. #ReachingOurGoal ![]() Update 10/15/2018: The metal has been poured, time to put the pieces back together. Pictured is artist Denny Haskew at Art Castings of Colorado where the bronze is being cast. #ReachingOurGoal ![]() Update 8/23/18: Appropriately so, the National Sculptors' Guild anticipates this placement, which we are contributing our share to, to be our 500th public art monumental placement. What better place for such a milestone than in our backyard. We are happy to share this pivotal moment with Lovelanders: Denny Haskew - NSG Charter Member The Rotary Club of Thompson Valley The Foundry - downtown Loveland's newest development Art Castings of Colorado - Foundry, since 1972 And all the other talented artists and subcontractors who make our creations come to life for the public to enjoy. #ReachingOurGoal
![]() Update 6/5/18: It may not look like much yet, but we have over 60,000 pounds of stone going into this art placement. Many of the sandstone monoliths will be etched with information about the successes of the Rotary Club of Thompson Valley. This image shows laying out templates in preparation of sandblasting the narrative into one of the stones. ![]() 5/15/2018: Columbine Gallery and the National Sculptors' Guild are pleased to team up with the Rotary Club of Thompson Valley on their "Legacy Project" in Loveland, Colorado. The Legacy Project celebrates the 30th Anniversary (2019) of the Rotary Club of Thompson Valley. The larger-than-life bronze sculpture depicts a woman helping a teenage boy surmount a stone precipice tying into the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self". Part of this service has been the club's support of Polio Plus, a major contributor to the eradication of Polio world-wide. "Reaching Our Goal" by NSG Fellow Denny Haskew will be placed in the plaza of The Foundry, a new development that is transforming Loveland's historic downtown, set to open Fall 2018. The art placement will coincide with the opening. The National Sculptors' Guild designed additional stone elements to activate the plaza and provide area's of recognition to donors and the club's efforts. We have contributed $50,000 plus design work to the project, our way of giving back to community for all the support we've received over the past 26 years. Haskew is a renowned figurative artist and a Charter Member of the National Sculptors' Guild. His work is in numerous prestigious collections including the Smithsonian Institution, DC; the Gilcrease Museum, OK; and the Boulder and Colorado Springs campuses of the University of Colorado. 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 including Fritz White and Kent Ullberg. Since 1987, Denny has created and placed dozens of monumental compositions; spanning the spectrum of the figurative genre.
10/22/17: National Sculptors' Guild John Kinkade is in NJ for the unveiling of The College of New Jersey’s new Bronze mascot by NSG fellow Herb Mignery. The 8ft Lion served as the official greeter to homecoming fans at the game. The sculpture will be stored until the permanent site at the Brower Student Center is ready in Spring. The sculpture was generously presented to the school by alumnus William McLagan. #GoLions ![]() 3/15/17: Herb Mignery has been making room for a lion. He recently moved out of a spacious studio thinking he wasn't going to sculpt monuments anymore - then we called saying - want to sculpt a life-sized lion.?! Luckily he had room in his garage. The lion is based on a maquette Herb sculpted a few years ago. When TCNJ alumni Bill McLagan visited the gallery, he knew this was the piece to enlarge for The College of New Jersey's campus. Stay tuned to see updates as the lion is cast in bronze and installed... John Kinkade and Clay Enoch from the National Sculptors' Guild are returning from Oklahoma today after another successful NSG public art placement.
We successfully installed "Conversation" by National Sculptors' Guild fellow Carol Gold with a unique granite base designed by John Kinkade at the First Congregational Church in Boulder. Thanks to Art Castings of Colorado for their extra help during the complex installation. This sculpture, by California artist Carol Gold, is of two stylized figures seated on a granite bench. The bench is extended to invite gathering next to the sculpture and a “joining the conversation.” John had to design something that was elegant, user-friendly and would span the weight-load all while floating on this second story plaza that didn't allow a typical anchoring installation method. with our engineer's help, we achieved a great functional look. Many of my artworks depict interaction through some of some sort of communication. The inspiration for much of my work comes from a poem by Pablo Neruda in which he writes – “No hablar es morir entre los seres”, or, “Not to speak is to die among human beings”. I have used this recurrent theme of communication in my work for years. The spoken word (or lack thereof) is inherent in our successes and failures as a society. We are bound as a civilization by means of contact with each other. By interacting with those around us, communities grow and prosper through their ideas, thoughts and histories. I am well aware of the power of communication and its importance in maintaining the equilibrium that we must maintain for a healthy society. I have a great deal of experience placing my work publicly thanks to the expertise of the National Sculptors’ Guild. Our installation of “Conversation” on the plaza will be the only one in Colorado. The Landmark Board has approved it and has commended us on our adding to the public art of Boulder. " -Carol Gold, National Sculptors' Guild
"We are delighted to introduce you to the nationally renowned sculptor, Carol Gold, whose sculpture, “Conversation,” has been commissioned for the church thanks to a generous gift designated for this purpose. We are excited that this one-and-a-quarter lifesize sculpture will be installed toward the south end of our plaza, “humanizing” this large expanse and making it more welcoming. There are of course many layers of meaning that can be derived from the sculpture, but as members of the Arts Ministry, we have been struck by the thoughts of our church’s interest in inviting people to join the conversation of faith, no matter where you are on the journey. We also feel the sculpture expresses our church’s openness to dialogue, our call to community, and the ongoing conversation of faith with the events of our lives and the life of the world. It is also significant that the reason the church has received the gift of these sculptures at all is because of a deeply meaningful conversation that our Senior Minister, Rev. Martie McMane, held for the donor’s husband and his family a week before his death. We invite you to ponder your own meanings for this beautiful work of art." -First Congregational Church of Boulder Arts Ministry ![]() “A Prosperous Past, a Bright Future” by Fellow Gary Alsum and the National Sculptors' Guild was placed in Brighton, at Bridge St and Cabbage Ave, commissioned through the city of Brighton, Colorado. The public artwork features two sculptural elements. The first element speaks to Brighton’s rich history and sense of family. The piece depicts a father, mother and young daughter. The father’s occupation is vague so that the viewer could see him as a farmer, a miner or any profession that made Brighton what it is today. On the ground next to the mother’s foot is a basket of vegetables, a nod to Brighton’s agricultural past and future. The second element connects to the city’s current boom and its continued success in the future. This sculpture depicts a young boy, playing with a train and a toy airplane. The train is symbolic of Brighton’s past. The airplane is symbolic of Brighton’s steady economic growth as a result of its proximity to DIA. Gary states that “The challenge of sculpture is depicting the movement and energy of a single moment.” Placing a great deal of focus on movement and grace, Gary’s sculptures pass on the freedom, joy and curiosity that children display on a daily basis. NSG Public Art Placement #287 ![]() The National Sculptors' Guild has worked with the City of Brighton to place a number of bronze sculptures by Fellow Jane DeDecker at the entrance of the Recreation Center on 11th Avenue, Brighton, Colorado. The pieces each speak to discovery and play, depicting youth actively interacting with nature. Jane states... “My work is a cumulative process made of my life experiences and my desire to sculpt the human form. Each piece tells a story of how it was created - every stroke supporting the narrative.” Part of Jane’s artistic genius is her ability to select a moment to which all of us can relate on a personal level. These moments span all generations, depicting a universally recognized scene. This scene may speak of the love between parent and child, the freedom of a child’s imagination or the simple dignity of everyday tasks. Each is a timeless expression of the human experience, causing us to reflect and evaluate the importance of love, relationships and achievement. - John Kinkade, Executive Director of the National Sculptors' Guild NSG Public Art Placement #213 Galileo, Lords of the Forest, Ears of Joy and Leaves of Grass ![]() Courage to Lead by Denny Haskew and the National Sculptors' Guild was placed in front of Brighton, Colorado's City Hall. This one and a quarter life-size bronze sculpture was introduced in May of 1993 and won the Western Regional Show, Cheyenne, WY, the People’s Choice Award at Hillside Sculpture Invitational, and the Sculpture Award at the Red Earth Invitational Art Show. In the creation of this artwork, Denny drew upon historical research after being told stories about the Society of the Sacred Arrow. This Society existed among many of the Plains Indian tribes. Among other tribes, the Crow, the Arapaho and the Cheyenne were known to perform the Sacred Arrow Ceremony. The night prior to a raiding party, war party or some equally important event, the tribe would gather around the pow wow circle with much chanting and singing. The members of the Society of the Sacred Arrow would rush out into the center of the ring and collectively shoot arrows straight into the sky. Then with a show of bravery and courage, they would stand still as the falling shafts came back to earth. Each member was unafraid because of his strong belief in his spiritual protection. Their courage and conviction showed that their cause was right and that God was with them. This was a great morale boost to the tribe members in attaining success on the next day’s venture. This display of courage by the members of the Sacred Arrow Society often placed them in the role as leaders of other warriors.It is placed upon Dakota Sandstone taken from the foothills. The sandstone used was created 70 million years ago. Dakota Sandstone occasionally appears on the plains in jutting outcroppings and bluffs. Plain’s Native Americans used it for structural purposes in religious dwellings. The design team of NSG Fellow Haskew and JK Designs Principal Kinkade has stacked 20 tons of this stone to create the suggestion of such an outcropping. The vertical stone holds a bronze plaque of explanation and commemoration. Denny Haskew is a Charter Member of the National Sculptors' Guild and one of Loveland's best known artists with his sculptures installed throughout the United States including Alaska, California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, New York, Michigan, Virginia, South Carolina, Illinois and Kentucky. For many years, Haskew maintains a Loveland home-based studio.
Haskew was born in Aurora and went to junior high and high school in Salt Lake City, Utah. He completed a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Utah. Haskew spent much of his early career as a ski instructor at Park City, Utah and was involved in developing ski touring trails in Idaho. He was also a white water river guide in the Grand Canyon. He did carpentry work and made furniture on the side.The talent and desire to become an artist goes back to Haskew's childhood when he carved decoys out of firewood for his father. He then tried his hand at carving shore birds. His parents moved to Loveland, and Haskew became interested in meeting one of the local artists. His introduction to Fritz White changed his life, and he knew he wanted a career as an artist. He asked White how to get started, and White said, "The old fashion way -- as an apprentice." Haskew quickly asked if he could become White's apprentice and to that, White responded, "I was afraid you would say that." White was a taskmaster often tearing apart what Haskew had started. However despite critical setbacks, Haskew sold his first piece while working for White. After a year, Haskew set up his own studio. With just four pieces, he was accepted into "Sculpture in the Park" held annually in the Benson Park Sculpture Garden. “I begin with the human figure. Initially, I have no intention of creating an ‘Indian image’, but sometimes the statement comes out stronger that way. Sometimes the opposite is true. Recently, I started to sculpt a Native figure, but it became something else. We’re all human beings inside. We’re all a mixture and will continue to mix until it no longer matters what type of figure is used as long as it makes the strongest statement possible.” see more of Haskew's work here. NSG Public Art Placement #133 ![]() Touch the Sky by Fellow Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild was placed through a public art call at 525 E. Bridge Street, Brighton, Colorado. This bronze sculpture of four children playing on and around a large tree stump was created in 1997. It was conceived to meet the need of a sculpture with children that had enough o fa presence to be placed in a large park and not seem dwarfed by the surroundings. The artist effectively solved this problem by using a large tree stump as a prop. This prop gives the sculpture enough mass to hold its own in the great outdoors. The children on the stump represent a number of emotions that all children have. The girl with hands raised to the sky exudes the exhilaration of the moment. One of the children on the log shows the tentativeness of being on top of the stump. A little boy at the base of the stump is in his own world looking at a bug. In all, the work carries the theme of the circle of life and the many experiences that go with it: from the fallen tree to the children’s exploration of life. The monument is 8’9”H 5’W and5’D. It has been placed at ground level so that children may easily relate to it. Decorative grasses will surround it giving it a naturalized appearance that is appealing year-round. NSG Public Art Placement #138
![]() "Snapshot" by Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild was placed in Oxnard, California in 1995. Snapshot was originally commissioned by Michael Jackson, The multi-figure bronze depicts a number of children ready for the camera, sitting on a bench with a wagon pulled up to one side; the kids are in a casual pose, enjoying a respite from summer play, holding toys and drinking a soda. It even includes the pouting kid in the back - not wanting to be pictured as often happens. The piece is universal even though it was inspired by photos Jackson gave DeDecker. NSG Public Art Placement 36 ![]() The National Sculptors' Guild placed Fellow Jane DeDecker's "Jungle Gym" in Oxnard, California in 1995. The 125% life-size multi-figurative bronze features five-children at play on a jungle gym, with a dog eager to join in the fun at the laces of one of the kids. The piece is a reminder of simpler days of play in parks and schools. The sculpture measures 11ft tall, 15ft wide, 5ft deep. Purchased by the City of Oxnard, California. NSG public art placement 35 |
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. Archives
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