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.
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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” NSG Public Art Placement 134: Our largest placement by Sharles through the National Sculptors' Guild is "The Amaryllis Fountain" designed for the Civic Plaza of the City of Cerritos, California. Images show various points in the creation of the multifaceted sculpture that featured a central 9ft tall bronze Amaryllis surrounded by Four vignettes of a Swan, Frog, Koi and Turtle accompanied by sculpted water lilies, and shorter stemmed amaryllis, plus natural aquatic plants. Water streams from the center of each flower in the 16-ft diameter composition. All finished in his signature vibrant colors; Sharles never shied away from a bold stroke of color. Artist's Statement: “These last several years I have been fascinated with wildlife and water in the application of my art. My work with the American Endangered Species Foundation has deepened my appreciation for birds, fish and reptiles. I have created baroque-like fountains incorporating these wonderful creatures in as many places as possible. Water is most appropriate for these animals and creates an ambiance that captures the imagination for hours. I have created my fountain pieces so they have multi-functions and can be applied in many ways and combinations. My studies in Central Europe, Rome and England as well as in Japan and Hong Kong, have influenced my style considerable. The classical art of the Baroque, 18th Century Rococo, Renaissance and religious art of Europe and the Orient fascinates me. The antique art of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Central Europe and the Orient intrigue me and affect my work considerable. My studies in Montreal, Boston and New York have deepened my interest and research into the environment and the life it supports. My work is dedicated to dramatizing the plight of wildlife and environmental concerns. My loose impressionistic technique allows me to capture the essence of these creatures in energetic and somewhat startling tableaus filled with images of their haunting beauty. My work is not mainstream wildlife isolated with the animals isolated from their environment or from other wildlife. I aim for a fresh yet mysterious drama, full of enchantment, adventure and a fluid beauty woven with the exotic imagery and lush abundance of prehistoric times. I visualize great roaring waterfalls, volcanic landmasses arising from pounding oceans and rain forests of lost worlds teeming with myriad forms of life all shrouded in vast clouds of mists and rain, invoking seemingly ancient vistas. Butterflies, orchids, giant dragonflies, as well as the exotic tropical birds, parrots and owls interact with turtles, lizards, alligators and fish forming collections that fascinate and delight.” -Sharles Initial conceptual sketches, different iterations that still incorporated the Amaryllis as the focus: Proposed Concept: Amaryllis Fountain The pool for the sculpture is in the shape of a circle. The complete fountain is comprised of a central sculpture element with eight sculptures surrounding it. In all, there are eleven jets of water. The central sculpture is eleven feet high. It is an amaryllis bulb with two leaves and two stem stalks coming out of the crown of the bulb. One of the stems is short with buds on it and the other is tall with three open flowers with stamens. A jet of water flows from the center of each of these flowers into the pool. On the individual compass points of the circle are sculptures of a turtle, a fish, a frog and a swan emerging from lily pads. A water lily flower is placed among the pads for additional interest. Jets of water flow from the flowers towards the center of the pool. On each of the figure’s backs are four-foot high amaryllis bulbs with flower stalks. It appears that they have dislodged them from the shoreline. Maquettes sculpted in wax, cast into bronze and hand painted by the artist shown below: Enlargement and casting process: Sharles studied extensively in Europe and the East Coast of the United States.
SHARLES' Public commissions include: “Left Hand of God” for the Atlantic City Courthouse, a bas-relief for the City of Palm Desert, CA, “Moonbeam” for Centaur-West Galleries, Chicago, IL and North Shore Nursing Home, Loveland, CO, “Evolution of Flight” for Continental Airlines, “Angel of Caring” for United Way, “Great American Eagle Fountain” for J.M.J. Corporation, a bas-relief for the Omaha Botanical Gardens, Omaha, NE and a bas-relief for the Loveland Museum and Gallery, Loveland, CO. Other private and corporate commissions include:
![]() 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.
#SculptureIsATeamSport #PublicArt #California #Texas #Missouri #Oklahoma #Minnesota #Oregon #Colorado #InstaArt #InstaGood #InstaLove #NSG #NationalSculptorsGuild #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded ![]() We've sent the final casting of "Keeping the Ball Rolling" by NSG Fellow Jane DeDecker to Edmond, Oklahoma. The joyful bronze sculpture depicting a child balancing on a ball will be placed in the city's new sculpture garden sometime in 2021. ![]() 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. ![]() Update 10/4/2020: “Tree of Life” by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors’ Guild is in! The new home is at the center of the new Downey Theatre Plaza fountain. Special thanks during the install to Josef Kekula and the City of Downey, Eisenman Transport, Capital Crane, Pacific Wood and Iron, and of course Clay Enoch and John Kinkade of the National Sculptors' Guild. NSG placement #524 ![]() Update 9/30/2020: "Tree of Life" by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild is on the truck and heading to Downey, CA. We are excited to see it in its new home at the center of the new Theatre Plaza. The 14ft bronze and stainless steel sculpture shares the truck with three other sculptures that the Guild is installing in Downey's downtown. It has always been John's motto that "Sculpture is a Team Sport"... It was an arduous task to load this complex sculpture. Arguably the most difficult loading we've experienced in our 28 years. It includes an engineered steel cradle, crane and rigging with pinpoint accuracy, and a team of people that coordinate well together. (this is just to load it on the truck; wait for the install) Everyone rose to the occasion. Special thanks to everyone involved... Tony Workman and the Art Castings staff, Dennis Henderson of DC Crane, John Eisenman Transportation, Zach Pennington of Blackeagle Fabrication, Jim Lambert and Shipper's Supply, Western Steel and Boiler, Russ Martino and Adam Granath of Martino and Luth, Josef Kekula and the City of Downey, CA, and of course Clay Enoch and John Kinkade of the National Sculptors' Guild. With the right people in place, we can achieve anything. Stay tuned for the install pics in a couple days. Update 9/15/2020: Nearing completion at Art Castings of Colorado. All eight figures are in place and the patina comes next. ![]() Update: 7/21/2020: Coming soon to Downey, California... "Tree of Life" by Clay Enoch and the National Sculptors' Guild is in the finishing steps of bronze casting at Art Castings of Colorado. This installation is part of a series of Public Art placements that the City has commissioned from the National Sculptors' Guild for installation in 2020. The bronze and stainless steel sculpture will be placed in the new fountain at the Theater Plaza. Our design team began working on this project in March of 2019. Measuring 12-feet tall and 14-feet in diameter, the tree composed of eight life-size bronze figures outstretched from a single column are united by the stainless steel rings that they hold; this sculpture is among our most complex figurative monuments to date. We are so excited to see this significant art statement in place. We will update this post as soon as installation is set. Progression of the project is shown below... Update 5/18/2020: attaching rings to figures, figures to trunk, metal chasing, and patina in progress Update 1/22/20 and 2/23/2020: sculpting the trunk, and site visit to see the start of the fountain. Update 10/11/2019: enlargement of the next set of figures in clay. Update 8/27/2019: enlargement of the first figures in clay. Update 5/8/2019: engineering and prototype for enlargement Update 3/25/2019: presentation of conceptual approach and maquette
The National Sculptors' Guild is in Downey, California today, installing four public art sculptures. It’s going well and the artwork looks fantastic in place. Thanks NSG Fellow Clay Enoch for the extra help! #PublicArt #NationalSculptorsGuild #SculptureIsATeamSport #CarolGold #NSG #DowneyCa #Sculpture #Installation ![]() 7/20/2020: Coming soon to Downey, California... "Infinite Dance" by Carol Gold has been cast at Art Castings of Colorado and awaits its installation in California. This sculpture is part of a series of Public Art placements that the City has commissioned from the National Sculptors' Guild for installation in 2020. The larger than life bronze abstract figure joyfully dances on the top of a stainless-steel ring. The shape of a circle holds deep symbolism, referring to concepts such as: inclusion, unity, wholeness and infinity. The overall 14-foot tall piece will be placed on Downey Avenue as soon as we can safely install. Carol's siblings have been inspired by her sculpture, below are their creations.
![]() The National Sculptors' Guild has installed Affiliate Jack Hill's "On a Roll" in Downey, California. We're thrilled with this playful public art placement, appropriately placed adjacent to the Hall of Fame Market and Deli. We hope you find it a'peeling'. This installation is part of a series of Public Art placements that the City has commissioned from the National Sculptors' Guild to enhance Downey Avenue. Special thanks to NSG Fellow Clay Enoch, Capitol Crane and the City of Downey for the installation help. NSG Public Art Placement #521 ![]() 7/1/2020: Coming soon to downtown Downey, CA! The National Sculptors' Guild is preparing to install Affiliate Jack Hill's "On a Roll". This installation is part of a series of Public Art placements that the City has commissioned from the National Sculptors' Guild to enhance Downey Avenue. The project has been delayed due to the pandemic, we're hoping to install in the next month or so. Until then - take in this foundry shot of a vibrant 7-foot tall bronze banana on roller skates! Progression of the enlargement are shown below... want the maquette? want #2 of the enlargement edition? order one here
![]() 7/20/20: Coming soon to Downey, California... The National Sculptors' Guild is preparing to install "From a Different Perspective" by Jane DeDecker on Downey Avenue in California once it is safe to install. This sculpture is part of a series of Public Art placements that the City has commissioned from the National Sculptors' Guild for installation in 2020. The 8-foot tall bronze depicts a young person doing a handstand with pocket change slipping out. The sculpture will be placed in a new urban pocket park along Downey Avenue. The sculpture is available in a limited edition as a monument or the maquette. Click here to order one. Check back for images of the monument in place. |
JK Design/NSGJK Designs’ Principal, John Kinkade, founded the National Sculptors’ Guild in 1992 with a handful of sculptors who wished to find thoughtful public applications for their work. Representation has since grown to over 20 contracted sculptors and painters; plus an extended network of 200+ artists that our design team works with on a regular basis to meet each project's unique needs. click here for a list of our over 500 large-scale placements. Archives
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