Update 6/3/2024: It took all of the month of May to install the 8+ tons of stone pavers for Inspiration Plaza. It looks terrific. Can you see the bow-tie?? Our inspiration came from a special human who has transformed the River Front Park, #IYKYK

The columns will be engraved next, followed by the installation of the sculptures the end of June. We look forward to sharing those images!

Update 4/17/2024: The National Sculptors’ Guild is on-site to oversee the installation of several elements for “Inspiration Plaza” a multifaceted art placement and public space designed by John Kinkade for Riverfront Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s exciting to see over a years’ worth of work come together. 

And that’s a wrap for now… 8.5 tons of basalt from Coverall Stone Inc. is in place. Next up will be 8 tons of pavers from Tribble Stone followed by engraving and another crane date to place the bronze and stainless steel sculptures by Denny Haskew and Mark Leichliter. We can’t wait!

Deep thanks to Jackie Collins & the Little Rock Parks and Rec team!

“Inspiration Plaza” Designed by John Kinkade, Art Elements by Denny Haskew and Mark Leichliter, Site Development by the Little Rock Parks & Recreation, commissioned through the Sculpture at the River Market, special thanks to Colorado Waterjet Company, Art Castings of Colorado, Shippers' Supply Custom Pack, Landstar, Coverall Stone, and Tribble Stone Company

Update 3/28/24: It may not look like much yet, but this is where public art starts, the foundation is where art meets site and becomes a beacon to gather. You can already see the design coming together. The stainless-steel braces, electrical conduit and concrete footing/pad are in and things are starting to taking shape in Little Rock. We're planning our trip to install the columns after this has properly cured! #GettingCloser

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

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.

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.
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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