![]() 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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![]() 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. 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.” ![]() 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 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 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. ![]() 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. 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. ![]() 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. ![]() “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 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. ![]() Another gorgeous placement in Paramount from today, Mark Leichliter's "Event Horizon" is now part of Progress Park. The 7-foot tall stainless steel sculpture is such a beautiful addition to the city's growing public art collection. Special thanks to all involved in this project.. "The concept behind the sculpture has to do with the theorized existence of a gravitational border around a black hole beyond which nothing can escape. I wondered what it might look like to see something torn apart but not completely consumed by the black hole; what might the remnants look like as they were spun off into space?" #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #PublicArt #MarkLeichliter #EventHorizon #ParamountCA #StainlessSteel #Custom #Monument #FineArt #SculptureIsATeamSport #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #CelebratingThirtyYears ![]() Update 12/15/2021: It's finished in metal!!! Mark Leichliter has been working hard the past few months and "Event Horizon" is nearly ready for placement in Paramount's Progress Park. The 7-foot stainless-steel sculpture will join some of the National Sculptors' Guild's past public placements in the same park. It already looks amazing in the studio. We're looking forward to taking this out to Paramount, California soon to install. Stay tuned. #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #PublicArt #SculptureIsATeamSport #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded ![]() Update 12/1/21: Mark Leichliter's Event Horizon is getting close to completion in metal. Mark has been busy welding and finishing lots of stainless steel. ![]() 9/1/2021: We're heading to Paramount, California again soon, the city has just selected Mark Leichliter's Event Horizon for a placement in Paramount's Progress Park. The 7-foot stainless steel sculpture will join some of our past placements in the same park. The installation is planned for later this year. "The concept behind the sculpture has to do with the theorized existence of a gravitational border around a black hole beyond which nothing can escape. I wondered what it might look like to see something torn apart but not completely consumed by the black hole; what might the remnants look like as they were spun off into space?" #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #PublicArt #SculptureIsATeamSport #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded So pleased that three NSG members have had sculptures selected to add to the City of Loveland Art in Public Places' collection at Benson Sculpture Garden this year. One of the best sculpture gardens in the nation is in our backyard and is filled with lots of our artists’ work. And soon, there'll be more! If you haven’t seen it, come visit! Congratulations to Craig Campbell, Jack Hill and Joe Norman! #CraigCampbell #JoeNorman #JackHill #NSG #PublicArt #BensonPark #LovelandCO #NationalSculptorsGuild #Sculpture ![]() Via @lovelandpublicart: In early February 2022, the Loveland Visual Arts Commission approved the gracious donation of the six new sculptures for the Benson Sculpture Gardens by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council (LHPAC). This year’s selection of artworks continues the legacy of sculpture contributions to the Loveland community. These sculptures will be installed in early summer, with a formal dedication during the second weekend in July. This year's selected pieces: 1. Abracadabra; Craig Campbell; Bronze – 84” x 60” x 48” 2. On a Roll; Jack Hill; Bronze – 84” x 48” x 28” 3. Hangin’ Around; Mark Hopkins; Bronze – 66” x 52” x 36” 4. Open Window; Ted Schaal; Bronze, Stainless Steel, 24K Gold –108” x 48” x 24” 5. Monarch Girl; Joe Norman; Stainless Steel – 72” 6. Power of Thought; Victor Issa; Bronze – 120” x 88” x 41” ![]() Gary Alsum’s “Tried and True” was dedicated at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond during their Veteran's Memorial Service. The two soldiers are sculpted back to back. One in full combat uniform, the other dressed for class. Minimizing space between the figures creates a single form. Symbolically, this depiction shows how the soldiers rely on one another as they literally have each other’s back – in service, or in civilian life; they stand together in a life-long connection. This camaraderie extends to the family of Veterans which can be felt through this composition as well. It can connect with relatives, friends, and fellow service people, creating a space for reflection from any path of life. The National Sculptors' Guild has had the honor of placing a number of monuments commemorating Veteran’s across the nation. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Veteran’s. Thank you for your services. NSG Public Placement #530 ![]() Update 12/17/2020: Gary Alsum's Tried and True has been completed in bronze and is on it's way to the University of Central Oklahoma. The sculpture will be stored there until the site is completed and can be placed. Thanks to Bronze Services of Colorado for another job well done. ![]() 5/24/2020:: Gary Alsum and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by the University of Central Oklahoma to create a Veteran's Memorial for their Edmond, Oklahoma campus. The composition is titled "Tried and True" The desire of the committee was to honor two individuals as a memorial - one depicted as a soldier and one as a student - who were close to the UCO family and by extension represent all others who have served to defend our liberties. Gary chose to depict the two soldiers, back to back. One in full combat uniform, the other dressed for class. Minimizing space between the figures creates a single form. Symbolically, this depiction shows how the soldiers rely on one another as they literally have each other’s back – in service, or in civilian life; they stand together in a life-long connection. This camaraderie extends to the family of Veterans which can be felt through this composition as well. It can connect with relatives, friends, and fellow service people, creating a space for reflection from any path of life. The clay enlargement is shown below... "Freedom" by Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild is installed at York Field Sports Complex. Depicting a dynamic collection of children and a dog at play. This design reflects on the setting and activities of the site; emphasizes positive interaction and speaks to multiple generations with universal appeal. One can either see themselves, a friend or family member in the artwork, and provides great opportunity for photo opportunities. This sculpture speaks to a healthy lifestyle, community connection, and discovery of nature. The five children chase after a Retriever that has snatched one of the kid's mitts as they race to a game or practice. Several children wear baseball caps and uniforms, one carries a bat. The existing trees in the planter provide natural spacing of the care-free running children. There is a balance of ages and genders depicted in the children. These added baseball features will be added in wax prior to casting. "Freedom" exhibits the best of America's pastime, camaraderie, sportsmanship and the pleasures of sun on your face and wind in your hair as you turn for home-plate. This placement shall echo the identity of this culturally rich and pulsating community and become an iconic image for York Field Sports Complex. ![]() Please join us at York Field for the dedication of "Freedom" by Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild on September 16, 2021 at 1 p.m. 9110 Santa Fe Springs Road, Whittier, CA 90606. The City of Whittier selected this bronze sculpture for its public art program in December of 2020. We're set to install mid-September. "Freedom" exhibits the best of America's pastime, camaraderie, sportsmanship and the pleasures of sun on your face and wind in your hair as you turn for home-plate. This placement shall echo the identity of this culturally rich and pulsating community and become an iconic image for York Field Sports Complex. ![]() Update 8/3/2021: "Freedom" is cast and awaiting the site to be prepped. We temporarily have it on display in the NSG garden during our 29th Annual Show. We'll install in Whittier, California in a just a few weeks. Make sure if you're in Northern Colorado that you get a peek before it leaves. ![]() Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by the City of Whittier, California to place "Freedom" at York Field Sports Complex. The multi-figure bronze sculpture will be placed in the large planter located between the ballpark and playground adjacent the parking lot. The sculpture will be installed in late-summer 2021. ![]() "Freedom" by Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild is an existing 1.25 life-size composition modified to add softball and baseball gear to create a unique placement for the York Field Sports Complex. Depicting a dynamic collection of children and a dog at play. This design reflects on the setting and activities of the site; emphasizes positive interaction and speaks to multiple generations with universal appeal. One can either see themselves, a friend or family member in the artwork, and provides great opportunity for photo opportunities. This sculpture speaks to a healthy lifestyle, community connection, and discovery of nature. The five children chase after a Retriever that has snatched one of the kid's mitts as they race to a game or practice. Several children wear baseball caps and uniforms, one carries a bat. The existing trees in the planter provide natural spacing of the care-free running children. There is a balance of ages and genders depicted in the children. These added baseball features will be added in wax prior to casting. "Freedom" exhibits the best of America's pastime, camaraderie, sportsmanship and the pleasures of sun on your face and wind in your hair as you turn for home-plate. This placement shall echo the identity of this culturally rich and pulsating community and become an iconic image for York Field Sports Complex. ![]() #PublicArt #JaneDeDecker #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #Whittier #California #YorkFieldSportsComplex #Freedom #KidsAtPlay #Baseball #Softball #DogArt #Bronze #Sculpture ![]() 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 enlargementThe sculptures are in! The National Sculptors' Guild installed "In the Wings" by Jane DeDecker and Alyson Kinkade, and "The Conductor" by Jane DeDecker at the Downey Theatre plaza yesterday. We so enjoy working with the City of Downey as they continue to grow their public art collection. Special thanks to Capitol Crane for lifting the custom stone bases from Tribble Stone over Embassy Suites' wall; it was quite a feat. The dancer's tutus add a splash of color, and the conductor's flair enlivens the space. These smaller works accompany the Fountain feature "Tree of Life" by Clay Enoch that the Guild previously installed. Additional sculptures are planned for the near future, and seating will allow guests to the theatre to enjoy the surrounding beauty of the plaza. Material shortages and covid shutdowns delayed this installation. We are thrilled to have it them in place as a display of the return to post-pandemic life. We can't wait to see the plaza filled with theater-goers. NSG Public Art Placements #532 & 533 #NationalSculptorsGuild #NSG #PublicArt #SculptureIsATeamSport #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #JaneDeDecker #AlysonKinkade #InTheWings #Conductor #DowneyTheatre #CityOfDowney #DowneyCA 10/27/2020: Two new pieces will be placed at the Theatre Plaza Sculpture Garden. "In the Wings" by Jane DeDecker and Alyson Kinkade, and "The Conductor" by Jane DeDecker. These smaller artworks join Clay Enoch's "Tree of Life" fountain in the center of the Downey Theatre Plaza.
There are plans for additional placements in the near future that will depict the varied performing arts for the Theatre Plaza Sculpture Garden. From musicians and actors; to dancers and comics; these sculpted entertainers will activate the space. Below is a suggested plan, each work is subject to change.
![]() 5/15/2020: Kathleen Caricof and the National Sculptors' Guild have won the 2020 Sculpture at the River Market Public Monument commission. Synergy will be installed in spring 2021 near the entrance of the West Central Community Center, Little Rock, AR. "The West Central Community Center is a place where people come and go on an everyday basis to enjoy everything the center has to offer. The inspiration for this sculpture is to express the motion of the activities which take place in the Center and the connection it makes among community members. Designed with energy, this tall metal sculpture shows the excitement of the expression of motion. These forms, as simple as they might look, depict the complex movements of athletes and the togetherness of a lively community. Standing tall, and easy to see, Caricof’s bright sculpture is perfectly suited as a landmark for the nearby pickup and drop off spot by the West Central Community Center’s entrance.” ![]() We had some fun with the Bernie meme and our public art placements, he's so good to have played along with the nation in celebrating his love of repurposed materials and practicality when it comes to fashion. After checking out the renowned National Sculptors' Guild sculpture garden, Bernie set off to see our placements throughout the nation. Bernie loved seeing some of our sculpture placements in Downey, California. his favorites were Clay Enoch’s Tree of Life, Jane DeDecker’s From a Different Perspective, Carol Gold’s Infinite Dance Bernie checking out our most recent Colorado sculpture placements, Wayne Salge’s Really?!, and Daniel Glanz’s Leaps and Bounds. Bernie made it to see some of our public art placements in Southlake, Texas too. Kathi Caricof’s Texas Stars, Gary Alsum’s Saluting a Hero, Jane DeDecker’s Burro Trio, and Michael Warrick’s Mockingbird Tree. Onto Little Rock, Arkansas where Bernie saw just a handful of our dozens of sculpture placements. A highlight was the Arkansas Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Tribute by Jane DeDecker. Other pictured public art are Stephen Shachtman’s Arkansas A, DeDecker and Kinkade’s In the Wings, Denny Haskew’s Native Knowledge, DeDecker’s Harriet Tubman, Sandy Scott’s Presidential Eagle, Kathleen Caricof’s Stars and Stripes, DeDecker’s Touch the Sky, Scott’s River Market Pig, and Tim Cherry’s Rabbit Reach in front of Mark Leichliter’s Together. #BernieSanders #smittenwiththemitten #BernieLovesArt
#NationalSculptorsGuild #Sculpture #Colorado #California #Downey #Southlake #Texas #LittleRock #RiverFrontPark #WarMemorialStadium #VogelSchwartz #FineArt #Connection #contemporaryart #ShopOnline #instaartwork #AddToYourCollection #PublicArt #SupportSmallBusiness #SupportTheArts #LivingWithArt #BeautifyYourSpace #BuyOriginal #LiveWithArt #ArtAppreciation #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #NSGdesignTeam #JKdesigns The National Sculptors’ Guild installed 18 public art placements in 2020, truly a triumph for the challenges we all faced in the year. We are excited to have several new projects set to install in 2021 that we will be sharing in the near future. Our 2020 public art placements are... (click titles to learn more) My Heart is in Your Hands, Jane DeDecker, Downey, CA Homeward/Monarch, Joe Norman, Downey, CA Mock Orange, Michael Warrick, Whittier, CA Time, Carol Gold, Bend, OR Between the Lines, Jane DeDecker, Loveland, CO Leaps and Bounds, Daniel Glanz, Brighton, CO Sweet Dreams & Grassland Trio, Daniel Glanz, Brighton, CO Mockingbird Tree, Michael Warrick, Southlake, TX On a Roll, Jack Hill, Downey, CA From a Different Perspective, Jane DeDecker, Downey, CA Infinite Dance, Carol Gold, Downey, CA Tree of Life, Clay Enoch, Downey, CA Burro Trio, Jane DeDecker, Southlake, TX Bamboo, Tim Cotterill (The Frogman), Joplin, MO Keeping the Ball Rolling, Jane DeDecker, Edmond, OK On a Roll, Jack Hill, Edmond, OK Rev. Pond, Denny Haskew, Shakopee, MN Tried and True, Gary Alsum, Edmond, OK We've now placed 530 public art monuments since 1992! Special thanks to all the people that helped make these placements happen, from fabrication to transport and installation, everyone pulled together in a time we had to stay apart.
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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. Archives
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