2018 Sculptures

Cabinetree

Cabinetree contrasts the forces of Nature with the built environment we try to impose on her. We surround ourselves with engineered rectangular shapes and structures where straight lines, flat surfaces and right angles abound. But this rigid man-made geometry competes with the organic forms and curving contours of the natural world. Powers of the wild break through our efforts to straighten things out, square them up and box them in.

Lee Badger
Hedgesville, West Virginia

The Gardener

My grandmother was the consummate gardener, planting by the moon and producing not only beautiful houseplants but bright glowing flower gardens. I have inherited my grandma's love of flowers and growing. I talk to my flowers and find joy when each new bloom appears. The Gardener shows a young girl, iris in one hand and bouquet in the other. She is in her garden and has a trowel and gloves. It reminds me of gifts we've been given. Flowers from a loving heavenly Father, talents and devotions from our families.

Julie Jones Denkers
Indianapolis, Indiana

Enchantment of Reading

Giving the gift of reading to a child opens a whole new enchanted world.

James Haire
Fort Collins, Colorado

The Ball and Chain

. . . has a long history. I began making spheres in Vietnam and revisited them in the 1990’s. I made more and will continue to do so. The sculptural form is the most elemental. It encompasses the most volume with the least surface area. I seem to be chained to the form. All else grows from it.

Mike Helbing
Limestone, Tennessee

Under Construction

These busy beavers are building a home. Hence, a community is under construction for many creatures. The water is the only part showing that is not a fork, knife or spoon. The metal was colored with heat to darken the beavers and make waves in the water. Constructing this kept me busy for months—glad I didn’t have to do it with my teeth!

Gary Hovey
New Knoxville, Ohio

Saturday's Distraction

A young boy is so absorbed in his book that he forgets all about his dog, his game, and his ice cream.

Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
Aderdeen, South Dakota

Benedictine Doves

Doves abstracted into beautiful lines and form.

Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
Aderdeen, South Dakota

Harley

Chrome, it's not just for motorcycles.

Dale Lewis
Hastings, Minnesota

People's Choice

Lovers

This hand forged iron sculpture depicts the souls of 2 lovers entwined for all eternity.

Clark Martinek
Mitchell, South Dakota

Mayor's Choice

Copper Fin Sea Horse

Caught in a current of life the seahorse holds strong to the reeds below protecting his young from the chaos around them. His copper fin gleams bright like a beacon of hope in the turbulent storm. His body as strong as iron forged in the fire of courage.

Clark Martinek
Mitchell, South Dakota

Three Curves Redux

A study in movement.

Alex Mendez
Decatur, Indiana

Resplendent Ardor

The dancer’s dress reflects her movement and attitude; bright and soulful.

Gregory Mendez
Decatur, Indiana

Tricky Situation

To figure out which side of the grass is truly greener, one must first grasp what green really is...

Matt Miller
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Best of Show

Slow Dancing

This is a sculpture of two cranes in love. They are slowly swaying back and forth in almost a hypnotic state. Just old fashion love all animals feel.

My sculptures are life size and the imagery is modern yet representational. The style is fluid and spontaneous, intent upon capturing movement and natural gestures that are typical of the animal or person. I add pieces of forged metal onto this basic structure I’ve created. My goal is to have the viewer’s recognize the figure and to feel its’ movement.

I also want the viewer to see the metal for what it is hot, molten, jagged and twisted pieces of steel. The previous life of this material is a beautiful contrast to the life and movement of living things.

Judd Nelson
Wayzata, Minnesota

Here Comes The Sunset

This sculpture is inspired by nature and the growth of a young seedling. At this early stage of development, the small plant reaches towards the sun as it uncoils (it almost appears to dance if you ever watch this in time lapse). These early moments are so beautiful, but often overlooked or missed.

Benjamin Pierce
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

InspirationAward

Long Distance

Using our imaginations can be fun. What if there was a device that could send messages to faraway places. Who would we want to talk to and what would we want to say.

This device can be aimed in any direction for communicating over long distance.

Nathan Pierce
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Red, Yellow, Black and White

A Symbolic Representation of the "Body of Christ/Bride of Christ" putting its whole

Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit into doing what God wants for us to do.

Putting everything we have into becoming the best "us" that we can possibly be.

"Have You started listening to Him yet?"

"M-1,188, ("Running Man Series" #2)

Bloodwood, Sugar Maple, Wenge and Yellowheart Wood

Curtis Rose
Decatur, Indiana

River Run

Tumbling flows of rushing water push their way to the sea. The river runs wild and imbues the land with myriad topographies. To be free like the river.

Craig Snyder
Plymouth, Minnesota

A B-REEF Moment in Time

As a Marine Biologist and educator, I am always looking for ways to share the stuff that fascinates me “at work”. This is a scene that I might encounter in the Bahamas near Andros Island, where I have studied the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef for over 35 years. Each piece is from found or recycled wood and has been hand carved, some you may recognize by former lives. Look closely, you might even see a familiar carving making a guest appearance.

Doc - Lawrence A. Wiedman, PhD
Huntington, Indiana

Committee Choice

Holy Mackerel

Cold summers on the English coast.

Neil J. Wiffill
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Flip Flop

Wanted to make a whale

Neil J. Wiffill
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Apparitions Won, The Last One

"The Last One” means the start of something – not the end. Realizing that your potential is “1”, your goals, hopes, dreams, will turn apparitions into inspirations. Through the “twists and turns of life,” One will always face challenges that will lead to unlimited numbers of successes. Win or lose, there will always be another one.

Charles Yost
Chicago, Illinois

Butterfly

The Butterfly was created when I decided I wanted to create a butterfly from scrap metal.

Jacque Frazee
Milbank, South Dakota

MT Olympus

Mt. Olympus is where the mountains meet the sun. This sculpture is a tribute the remarkable contributions of Greeks to the Arts.

Tim James
Good Thunder, Minnesota

Signe

A naturally occurring shape, Signe leads the viewer through cycles of memory as the visual cortex works to resolve the image. Seven intersections act to connect different points in time, allowing the viewer to experience past, present and future at once.