PROJECTS JK Designs, Inc. National Sculptors' Guild Columbine Gallery Significant Art Statements since 1992

Gene Bess Portrait for Three Rivers College

2/3/2023

The dedication was a huge success, we especially love seeing the real Gene Bess with the sculpture. What a great individual to commemorate. Thanks Three Rivers College. 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.

The dedication was a huge success, we especially love seeing the real Gene Bess with the sculpture. Gary really enjoyed spending time with the real Gene Bess too. What a great individual to commemorate. Thanks Three Rivers College.

National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Gary Alsum is in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to install and dedicate the t he 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.

National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Gary Alsum has been selected to sculpt Gene Bess for placement at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. 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.” 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. His career win-loss record is 1,300-416 (.757 winning percentage), making him the all-time winningest college basketball coach. In his time at Three Rivers, he won two national junior college basketball titles, in 1979 and 1992, and was the first college coach to reach 1,000 and 1,200 wins. Bess coached NBA player Latrell Sprewell at Three Rivers. Bess announced his retirement from coaching in May 2020 after suffering from health problems during his final years on the bench.

Update 5/1/2022: Sculptor, Gary Alsum next to the freshly sculpted Gene Bess clay enlargement. Now that it is complete. its way to mold and the casting process.

Update 4/15/22: The portrait has been refined in clay and approved by the client.

Update 4/5/22: The stone base with engraving layout is complete, and ordered.

Update 11/15/21: Gary has created a maquette for the monument, getting an idea of what is to be expected.

Gene Bess to be sculpted by Gary Alsum for Three Rivers College

10/1/21: National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Gary Alsum has been selected to sculpt Gene Bess for placement at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The school has been hard at work raising funds for this commemorative sculpture.

The bronze will be a life-sized standing figure depicting the coach with basketball in hand wearing his familiar suit and tie. The sculpture will be located on the entry plaza of the Libla Family Sports Center in 2022.

The former coach of the men's basketball team at Three Rivers Community College was hired in 1971.

Coach Bess won a record 1,300 wins in 50 seasons as Three Rivers head coach while teaching two classes a semester, and serving as the Three Rivers Athletic Director throughout his career. At least 42 former players for Bess have gone on to coach all over the country.

He became college basketball’s all-time wins leader in 2001 when he surpassed North Carolina’s Dean Smith and Richard Baldwin of Broome Community College. He was the first college basketball coach to reach 1,000 wins in 2006, the first with 1,100 wins four seasons later, and 1,200 in 2015. His 1,300th win came in what ended up being his final home game on a court named in his honor. Coach Bess finished with a career record of 1,300-416, won national championships in 1979 and 1992, coached in four national title games, appeared in 17 national tournaments, won 23 region championships, and is a member of four halls of fame.

“He brought notoriety, he brought fame, he brought championships, but that’s not the important thing that he brought to our school,” Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said. “He brought honor. He brought a dedication that was an example to everyone that works there or walked through the doors as a student. He brought courage, he brought direction, he brought an example that was worthy to follow.”

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Cerritos Tribute to Public Safety

2/1/2023

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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 12/1/2022: The K-9 Unit is nearly finished in clay! It's exciting to see all the elements coming to life for this special project.

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 8/8/2022: Sculpture enlargement is about half way completed by Gary Alsum in his studio. The Female Sheriff Deputy and Male K-9 Officer are two major components to this Tribute to Public Safety. Thank you LA County Sheriff's!

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.

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.

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.

Often 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. We are transforming the 2500 sq ft green space into a gathering space that honors first responders. Three monumental bronze sculptures by 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 a new 9/11 memorial. We are looking forward to sharing the process here, stay tuned.

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Happy New Year

1/1/2023

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#HappyNewYear
Thank you for a wonderful 2022.
We love finding homes for our sculptor’s work, your support is so appreciated. May your new year be filled with beauty.

You can always keep an eye on our big placements here: http://www.jk-designs-inc.com/project-feed

#Celebrating30Years #NationalSculptorsGuild #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #NSGsculptureGarden #ConnectingPeopleWithArt #LiveWithArt #PublicArt #FeedYourCreativeSpirit #Happy2023 #artappreciatorsareourfavoritepeople

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Carol Rosenstein Gold : Celebration of Life Event

12/9/2022

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The family has requested we share this event with the artworld, please attend if you are able.
John will be speaking on behalf of the National Sculptors' Guild and Columbine Gallery.

Celebration of Life for Carol Gold
January 28, 2023, 11 a.m. at the Pavilion in Fairfax, California
The Pavilion is located at: 142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax CA 94930

Carol Gold working on "Time" in 2010

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Carol’s honor to Democracy Now! KPFA, The Sierra Club, the Marin Land Trust or Planned Parenthood.

click here to read our other posts if you would like to learn more about Carol.

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Protect in Tulsa, OK

11/14/2022

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Public Art Installed at Fire Station 33 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 , Communications Officer, Nov. 16, 2022

Joe Norman and John Kinkade with the sculpture "Protect"

Public Art Installed at Fire Station 33

Public art for the new Fire Station 33, 4109 S. 134th East Ave., has been installed this week, and this commissioned work, titled “Protect,” is available for the public to enjoy.

The 6-foot-tall, stainless steel sculpture is near the flag pole and public parking lot on the west side of Station 33. The Arts Commission of the City of Tulsa chose the design team of Joe Norman and the National Sculptors’ Guild for this project.

According to the National Sculptors’ Guild, this sculpture, fabricated at Joe Norman’s studio in Loveland, Colo., is intended to “activate the site and signify the exemplary service of firefighters in a single, free-standing sculpture.”

“The Arts Commission is very impressed with this artist,” Commission Chair Pam Deatherage said. “It’s an interactive piece that changes as you walk around it. Tulsa is very fortunate to have initiated, in 1964, a program where art is provided as part of the project budget - the 1% funded public arts ordinance - to include creative pieces on display at our public buildings.”

Standing on a 1,650-pound sandstone base, the sculpture has red letters spelling the word “Protect,” visible from one direction. Two other perspectives show the gray silhouette of a firefighter. Also according to the National Sculptors’ Guild, the final side, opposite “Protect,” is “an abstraction, symbolic of the unknowns that firefighters face.”

“To have the word “Protect” in fire-engine red strengthens what this word means to those in service and the community it serves,” said John Kinkade, director of the National Sculptors’ Guild.

Norman describes his work as “creating public sculptures that show different images or words depending on the viewpoint of the observer.” Norman said, “I believe that having multiple ideas coexist in a single piece is a useful metaphor for the ecosystem of ideas that public art empowers and protects.”

Joe Norman and the National Sculptors’ Guild installed the art with help from Tulsa subcontractors. “Sculpture is a team sport,” Kinkade said. “Thank you, City of Tulsa, the Arts Commission, Tribble Stone, Voy Construction, Barnhart Excavating, American Pipe Bending, Landstar System, and the community of Tulsa. We are so proud to be part of honoring firefighters through this art placement.”

A public hose uncoupling ceremony for Fire Station 33 was held in September. Hose uncoupling is a fire service tradition similar to a ribbon cutting ceremony. Funding for this new fire station has come from the 2001 Third Penny Sales Tax and the 2013 Improve Our Tulsa sales tax. The Public Safety Sales Tax, which was approved in 2016 with the Vision Tulsa sales tax, has provided funding to hire more firefighters to fully staff this new station. - City of Tulsa, Nov. 16, 2022

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

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.

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 6/10/22: We've figured the footprint and and picked out a stone from the quarry.

The site has changed from what was originally planned, but we think for the better as the silhouette of the fire-fighter will be highly visible from the street. The word "Protect" will be viewed as you approach the building from the parking lot.

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.

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Bloomington-Normal YMCA

9/20/2022

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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

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Carol Rosenstein Gold, 1937 - 2022

8/18/2022

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click here to learn about the Celebration of Life Event, January 28, 2023

Artist Carol Gold, It saddens us to share that Carol Gold passed away August 18, 2022. Her daughter's words embody the loss we all feel,

It saddens us to share that Carol Gold passed away August 18, 2022. Her daughter's words embody the loss we all feel,

It saddens us to share that Carol Gold passed away August 18, 2022. Her daughter's words embody the loss we all feel, "The hole she has left is huge." This is true for us on a personal level, as much as it is, a loss to the art community at large.

Over the past thirty years, Fairfax, California artist, Carol Gold's work has been widely exhibited in the U.S. and Canada. Her sculpture has received numerous accolades at national exhibitions including the John Cavanaugh Memorial Award from the National Sculpture Society and multiple feature articles in renowned publications.

Carol has been a fellow with the National Sculptors' Guild since 1996. With our design team, the prolific sculptor placed hundreds of smaller works and dozens of public art commissions. Each monumental placement promote a sense of pride and community cohesion where they are installed

Early on we placed a jovial depiction of two figures in a sort of kite-like dance called "Wind" in Coos-Bay, Oregon.

Another vibrant sculpture "Fiesta" was first placed at the pedestrian entry to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library. This sculpture has since also been added to the permanent collections of the city's of Cerritos, California and Loveland, Colorado.

Her monumental "Story Teller" has greeted visitors to the Whittwood Branch Library in Whittier, CA since 2007. This exuberant figure brings their narrative to life; stone benches provide a spot for visitors to sit and read, or listen to library orators.

"Conversation" has been placed in Paramount, California and Boulder, Colorado where two figures face each other, connecting through thoughtful discussion. And the bronze figures in "Communion" take in the view and create a quiet area in a natural space of a Northern Colorado residential park for visitors to take a rest from the trail.

In 2010, her 13-foot tall bronze and stainless steel sculpture, "Time" was installed at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, MI. This quickly became a favorite “photo op” destination for students and visitors to the campus. Additional castings were later added to the City's of Bend, Oregon and Loveland, Colorado.

Perhaps the least expected monument is "Belle", a larger-than-life sized Holstein cow commissioned by the City of Bellflower, CA as a nod to their start as a dairy-producing town. Since Gold grew up on a dairy farm in western Massachusetts, this subject was actually not a far stretch for her; she annually included an animal sculpture or two in her portfolio of small works.

Her 14-foot tall sculpture "Infinite Dance" was added to the Town of Pittsfield, MA in the town’s central common, the heart of the community; followed by placements in Little Rock, Arkansas and her final installation in Downey, California. This is perhaps the closest to a self-portrait of the monuments - depicting a figure dancing joyfully on the top of a stainless steel ring. Carol was both a serious and studious person, she stayed current with politics and social issues, but that glint in her eye as she looks up at you (for most of us) showed her wisdom about the balance of life; to sometimes set all that aside and move to the music.

We are so grateful for the time we have known and worked with Carol Gold to share her creative energy and vision; her artistic legacy will contribute for generations to come. - Alyson and John Kinkade, National Sculptors' Guild

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made in Carol’s honor to Democracy Now! KPFA, The Sierra Club, the Marin Land Trust or Planned Parenthood.

Carol Rosenstein Gold Obituary

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On a Roll skates its way to Little Rock

6/30/2022

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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

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Daisy Bates to be Honored in Little Rock

5/20/2022

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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.

National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Jane DeDecker has been selected to sculpt Daisy Lee Gatson 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 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.

Jane DeDecker's composition of Daisy Bates

10/15/21: National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Jane DeDecker has been selected to sculpt Daisy Bates for placement in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. The honor to portray such an important figure is a true highlight.

The life-sized bronze bust will be accompanied by a wall of bronze plaques featuring quotations by the great Civil Rights Activist.

The public display of her image and words will serve well to inspire next generations to take her lead to end racial injustice.

"I have been truly inspired and deeply moved by the strength and dedication of Daisy Lee Gatson Bates. She turned tragedy into her life's work in fighting against prejudice, segregation, and inequality. Daisy Lee Gatson Bates was a formidable woman who would not stand down." - Jane DeDecker, NSG

The commemorative placement will be completed in 2022. Updates will be posted here.

Daisy Lee Gatson Bates
Mentor to the Little Rock Nine
Advocate for Equality

About Daisy Lee Gatson Bates...

National Sculptors' Guild Fellow Jane DeDecker has been selected by the State of Arkansas to sculpt Daisy Lee Gatson Bates for placement in the National Statuary Hall. We presented models early this month to the selection committee created by the Secretary of State administration along with 2 other finalists. The announcement was made earlier today. The honor to portray such an important figure in the state capitol is a true highlight for our entire design team. Jane will begin the enlargement in the coming months and we will provide updates here as this project develops. 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. It is important to express Mrs. Bates' power through her stance since she is structurally smaller than the counterparts she will be placed near within the Statuary Hall. Her face lifted to take on oppressors, her hand shooing away the past as her steps create the movement necessary for generations to follow are just a few ways this composition expresses her power. She has shattered the glass ceiling without scars showing from the enduring path it took. 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 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. Her image in the National Statuary Hall will serve well to inspire next generations to take her lead to end racial injustice.

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.

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A little bit of magic for Little Rock

4/15/2022

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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

An update on our magician "Abracadabra" by Craig Campbell. 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 once placed in bronze in Little Rock.

#PublicArt #WIP #CraigCampbell #NSG #NationalSculptorsGuild #Abracadabra #Arkansas #LittleRock #Bronze #Commission #Sculpture #Magic #Magician #MagicInArt #ArtistDriven #ClientMinded #SculptureIsATeamSport #WorkInProgressWednesday

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.

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.

Craig Campbell has been hard at work and the enlargement is nearly complete. Soon the magician and his assistants will head to the foundry to be transforms into bronze.

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.

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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