Sculpture Newsletter

Newsletter Excerpts

June - July 2004 Issue of
The Third Dimension, newsletter of

Contents on this page include:

Sculptors' Dominion Exhibit Update
Focus On: Hill Country Studios
Member News
Submission Guidelines

SCULPTORS DOMINION UPDATE

By Gilbert Barrera (As told to the Editor)

To date, there has been $40,000 registration sales during the 2004 event and Sculptors Dominion has hosted over 1100 area children free.
Many interested Sculptors Dominion artists will volunteer their time and expertise to teach Sculpture classes beginning this fall tentatively planned in October 2004.
Classes will focus on professionals teaching in their area of interest and beginning classes will offer courses sculpting in Limestone, Marble, Blacksmithing & Bronze. More details to follow as plans are finalized.

Focus On: Hill Country Studios

By Pat Galvin

Before discovering sculpture, Joe Wigley had developed an eclectic background in business. He spent many years as an executive chef in catering design and has always sought jobs with a strong creative element. Joe and his partner, Catherine Werth are imaginative people and their shared interests have resulted in a joint venture called the Hill Country Studios Artisan Community underway at the present time. They have a community vision to support artists within the Dripping Springs and the greater Hill Country region. Their marketing plan includes 100 acres that can be developed by artisans to build homes, studios and workshops with possible public areas featuring activities, shows and events. Artisans will be encouraged to proceed with "green awareness" in mind and to build using natural settings and utilizing native plants that work iwith the natural environment.

Joe's interest in sculpture began in June 2003, after receiving some aged wood from a friend that had weathered for fifteen years in the diverse Texas elements. He began building tables that incorporated sculptural elements in design and followed the Isamu Naguchi architectural style. Due to mobility issues he wasn't able to handle life sized or large pieces on a regular basis. He developed an interest in working with organic "found" material and creating smaller intimate pieces.

In the beginning phase of his work, Joe looks for old weathered logs, stumps, planks and timbers from old structures. He spends time with the wood looking for the "...shape and nature of the sculpture to be revealed." Joe uses aluminum bars, cedar bases and sculptured limestone bases crafted from pieces collected in outdoor hikes. These materials are easy for him to work with and the bases help enhance the illusion that the sculptures are floating in three dimensional spaces. Joe credits his style as being "...curiosity driven, doesn't like to do research but prefers to figure it out as he goes." To see Joe's sculptures call (512) 264.0861 to make an appointment to visit the Werth Gallery open on Thursdays and Fridays. Or you can visit their recently updated website that will be reopened on June 16th at www.hillcountrystudios.com If you want to learn more about the Hill Country Studios Artisan Community call the above mentioned number of email Catherine Werth with your questions at catherine@hillcountrystudios.com

Member News

Member news is sent in by you the members (contact editor for submission guidelines).

Past Events:
Arye Shapiro recently completed a processional crucifix for Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, Texas. In a resurrection crucifix, Christ is ascending from the cross. Emmaus Church already has a huge resurrection crucifix with a Christ figure 9 feet tall, which is located behind the church altar. Arye's commission was to create a processional crucifix, similar only in concept to the existing one. A processional crucifix is carried down the aisle by altar boys during Mass so weight was a critical issue. Arye's crucifix made its debut during Easter services and was seen by 1500 people who attended Mass and witnessed it borne aloft in the procession. The bronze Christ figure is 15" tall and is mounted on a black walnut cross 18" high x 11" wide. The resurrection crucifix is now available to the public in a limited edition of 25. The price is $3600, which includes a wood or stone base.

Present Events:
Michael Hall, past president of TSOS, is currently commissioned to create WWII Soldier (life size). The piece will be dedicated on June 18th at Camp Swift Military Camp in honor of the five combat units that trained there to fight in WWII. Camp Swift is located between Bastrop and Elgin. The dedication is 9 am - 10 am. Michael has also created the Robert Heinlein Lifetime Achievement Award for the National Space Society. This year's recipient is James Lovell of Apollo 13. It will be presented at the 23rd National Space Development Conference May 25, 2004 in Oklahoma City. Last year Neil Armstrong was the recipient of this award crafted by Michael Hall.

Gary Yarrington is exhibiting a 20" bronze piece entitled Baroque at the "Stallions, Ponies, Unicorns" exhibition sponsored by the National Sculpture Society (NSS). The exhibition runs from March 4 - July 30, 2004 at the NCC headquarters in midtown Manhattan. For more details visit NCC website at: www.nationalsculpture.org

Hill Country Studio's first residential Gallery is open Thursdays and Fridays at 32139 Mirela Anne Road in Dripping Springs, Texas, visit updated website at: www.hillcountrystudios.com. TSOS members Al Carp, Rodney Bohl, Siri Dehipitiya, Theresa Bayer, Mary Griffin, Terry Wilemon, Ken Burns and Kate Wilson were elected as Austin Sculpture Center (ASC) Director of the School, Chairman and Board members respectively during a April 21, 2004 ASC meeting.

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Texas Society of Sculptors
P. O. Box 49291
Austin, Texas (USA) 78765-9291
www.tsos.org