Georgia Gerber Sculpture to memorialize Terry Reim

Georgia Gerber Sculpture
The News Tribune
by CHRISTIAN HILL

University Place leader's spirit lives on in sculpture

The spirit that led Terry Reim to become one of University Place's biggest supporters is imbued in a bronze duck sculpture that will soon be dedicated in his honor at a place that was still a civic dream when he died.

Reim and his friend Dixie Harris founded the Duck Parade about a decade ago to generate foot traffic for a farmers market, another of their initiatives from the same period. While the farmers market is gone for now, the Duck Daze event continues each June, with participants dressing up like ducks to celebrate the end of the rainy season.

The affinity between Reim and the waterfowl doesn't end there. Like a duck paddling in water, those who knew him say he worked tirelessly while yielding results that looked effortless.

Reim's widow, Ruthann Reim McCaffree, said his mantra was to "move ahead and get things done."

"He was intense and complicated," she said. "He loved this community."

Reim was a strong proponent of University Place's incorporation and wanted to grow the tax base of the fledgling city - a goal officials aim to realize when their Town Center project finally opens on Bridgeport Way.

Plans for Town Center were just starting to take shape when Reim died at age 61 in April 2003. He fell off a ladder while remodeling his home.

Reim couldn't have anticipated that a sculpture built in his honor would be one of the first completed pieces of the development.

The first major tenant arrives in February, when The Pierce County Library System plans to open its new 15,000-square-foot library inside a civic building.

Meanwhile, construction continues on that building, which also will feature the future City Hall, ground-floor retail space and underground parking. The city also plans to sell about a dozen lots slated for mixed-use development around the building.

Drawing on his background as a developer and home builder, Reim led the city's economic development task force and its local chamber of commerce.

Councilman Ken Grassi recalled that Reim once promised cherries at the farmers market. When the vendor couldn't make it, Reim drove to Eastern Washington to pick up the cherries, drove back and ran the booth himself.

"He was a man of his word," Grassi said. "If he said it, he would do it, no matter what it took."

The sculpture captures Reim's deliberative manner, featuring a 41/2-foot-high male duck marching forward with a young duck on his back, its wings held out to keep balance. Walking beside the male duck is another duckling.

The nonprofit group UP for Art, working with Reim's widow and the city, commissioned sculptor Georgia Gerber to create the piece after an open competition.

The sculpture's cost is $30,000. UP for Art and the Terry Reim Memorial Fund donated $15,000. The city is contributing the remaining half from a state grant dedicated for the market square development.

Gerber, a sculptor from Whidbey Island, said the statue symbolizes Reim's drive and the whimsy of the events he helped create. She said her work also touches on themes of family and is "for the public to enjoy forever and embrace as a part of their community."

Reim McCaffree is pleased with Gerber's work. "I can't say enough about her. She took it to the whole next level."

The Reims were fixtures in University Place for the better part of their 40-year marriage, well before UP became a city in 1995.

The couple rented a home there in 1965, after Terry was drafted and ordered to report to Fort Lewis. After he completed his military service, the couple returned in 1968 to raise their family.

Reim McCaffree said the sculpture can be a metaphor for the city of nearly 31,000 residents.

"We're scrambling ... We're working hard to become a top-notch city for the people who live here and come here," she said. "I think the duck symbolizes that spirit, as well."




If you like ducks or other waterfowl we can help. At bigbronze.com we have a great selection of wild bird sculptures and fountains at wholesale pricing. We can also do custom pieces upon request if you'd like something bigger, like the piece by Ms. Gerber. You can see all our available pieces here!


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WHEN MASCOTS ATTACK!! Ohio's Mascot exacts justice on Brutus the Buckeye

OHIO STATE BUCKEYE MASCOT GETS TACKLED BY RIVAL MASCOT



In what was easily the best tackle of the day for the Ohio U. Bobcats, their mascot, Rufus laid a lick on Brutus the Buckeye of Ohio State that A.J. Hawk would be proud of. The motivation? Just to do what was done, tackle Brutus. In a strange twist, the young man that donned the Bobcat suit made it his life's ambition to tackle Brutus. Enjoy your 15 seconds of fame pal.

If you'd like your mascot done in bronze, we're here to help. We can custom make any style or size you'd like. Like the Iowa Herky below!



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Bart Walter Sculpture of Lion and Boy

Carroll County sculptor brings wild imagination to Westminster Library
By Jay R. Thompson

Drivers on Main Street in Westminster will soon notice an addition to the downtown decor.

A life-size bronze lion will be sitting like a majestic sentinel atop a granite pedestal near the entrance of the Westminster Library.

"It really was a library-inspired piece," said Lisa Back, a spokeswoman for the Carroll County Public Library system.

"At the base of the lion is a young boy who is reading a book," she said. "It's a physical representation of books transporting us to other worlds."

The sculpture "Wild Imaginings" was created by Westminster artist Bart Walter, who's been a full-time professional sculptor for three decades, during which time he's done about a dozen pieces of this scale.

"We thought it was important to use local artists to keep it tied to the community," Back said.

The lion will sit atop a polished, black granite pedestal that's about 3 feet tall. The top of the lion will be about 8 feet above ground level.

"I'm sure visitors will notice the lion first, and I hope it will communicate a real lion to them," said Walter, who has created works for The Smithsonian National Zoo, in Washington, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., the Maryland Zoo, in Baltimore, and Northwest Middle School, in Taneytown.

"But then they'll notice the boy and wonder about the boy in the context of a lion, and hopefully think about reading and how it can transport you to anywhere you want to be," he said.

"For children, hopefully it will open up their imagination," he said.

Walter knows what it's like to be transported by books.

"I grew up in Baltimore," he said. "I was stuck in the city all week and I became a mental traveler through books."

Walter's sculpture will be unveiled Friday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the library's renovation.

The Westminster branch is 30 years old, Back said.

"It was showing its age inside as well as outside," she said. Over the course of about three years, the library's roof has been replaced, lighting was improved, accessibility and walkways were improved, and the public spaces inside were renovated, including the children's area.

"You go through a tunnel to go into the children's area," Back said.

The cost of the renovation, not including the sculpture, was around $1.6 million, paid for with a state grant and with matching funds from the county.

"The final stage is the re-landscaping of the park in front of the branch," Back said.

The sculpture was paid for with private donations -- with a healthy discount from the artist himself, who said normally, a piece this size can run hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We did it as a favor to a local institution that we enjoy and have enjoyed for a long time," Walter said. "I was just trying to help them make it happen."

The sculpture echoes a tradition of putting lion statues at the entrances of buildings.

"Sculptures have been used as guardians of libraries and art museums for well over 100 years," Walter said.

Some notable examples of lion statues as guardians are at the New York Public Library and at the Baltimore Museum of Art, putting the Westminster branch among grand company.

"Coming to the library should be more of an event than an errand," Back said.

"Wild Imaginings" is the first of four sculptures the Westminster branch library hopes to purchase from local artists.

The next piece will be carved on site next summer from limestone contributed by the Lehigh Cement Company in Union Bridge. The library is still searching for an artist and an artwork for that block of stone, Back said.



If your entrance needs a lion, or two, we have what you're looking for. Like our "Majestic Lions" pictured above, we can make your entranceway, public area, park, or landscape really stand out. Check out our website for all our beautiful lions and other animals.

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NEW SCULPTURES IN-STOCK!

We just got our summer load in with all sorts of beautiful statues, sculptures, and fountains including three pieces we feel will really be a hit! The first is a pair of 7 foot tall Roman or Greek centurion's. They're a perfect piece for a school as mascots or to guard the entrance of a home or office. The second, our exclusive design, is a statue of two children, or brother and sister if you will, with the older boy giving the younger girl a piggyback ride. This makes a great addition to a park, schoolyard, or public space. And, finally we have our box turtle piece, also our design, which is a great little piece for a garden, landscape, or inside your home. Check them all out at our website for pricing!

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GIANT 30Ft Bronze Horse Head Sculpture featured at Goodwood

Nic Fiddian-Green grooms his giant horse sculpture for Goodwood
guardian.co.uk

29 June 2010: Nic Fiddian-Green's latest creation, Greekhead-Artemis, is a 30ft bronze sculpture of a horse's head, which is destined to be the star attraction at next month's Glorious Goodwood horse-racing festival in Chichester. We go behind the scenes at the Liverpool foundry, where the sculptor is adding the finishing touches ...



If you're in the market for a bronze horse or equestrian sculpture, statue or fountain, we have the largest in-stock selection on the east coast. Just visit our website and see all of our beautiful pieces, like our polo player above, always at wholesale pricing.


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Back to School Mascot Statues and Sculptures!

BACK TO SCHOOL SAVINGS!!

The back to school season is upon us. Time to start thinking of fall days, seeing friends, and classes. If you're like us you love walking onto campus and seeing the mascot for the first time, it officially means your back for another great year! If you can't see that because you don't have a statue of your school's mascot, we're here to help. We have a large selection of life size and larger than life bronze sculptures that are perfect as the centerpiece for a University, College, or High School stadium or entrance. If you have a mascot that we don't have in-stock we can create a custom piece to suit your needs! Check out bigbronze.com for all your bronze statue or fountain needs. Our wholesale prices can't be beat!

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Largest In-stock Bronze Horse Sculpture Selection on the East Coast

If you have a farm, ranch, equestrian center, training facility, equestrian themed restaurant or mascot we have what you need! We easily have the largest in-stock selection on the east coast at by far the best pricing you'll find anywhere. The pictures above are just the tip of the iceberg. We have several styles and sizes of statue, sculpture and fountain to suit your need. Check out our website for our full line. We can also do custom pieces as well!
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Bronze sculpture statue of Dachshund earns Award

Joy Beckner Sculpture of Bronze Dachshunds
SculptSite.com

Joy Beckners bronze "Siesta" Standard Smooth Dachshund, earned The Agop Agopoff Memorial Award, 79th Annual Exhibition, The Hudson Valley Art Association, NY. See it through July 30 at the National Arts Club, 15 Grammercy Park South, New York,NY.



If you're looking to add a sculpture of man's best friend to your home decor we've got an extensive selection of museum quality bronze dogs to choose from. We can also do custom pieces, including monumental pieces to be used as a mascot!



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Steve Worthington's Sumo Toads Frog Sculptures

sculptsite.com

The public will decide who gets the almost half a million dollars in prize money at the second ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Steve Worthington's entry 'Amphibian Struggle' features several bronze toads, including his NSS exhibited, people's choice winning Sumo Wrestling Toads.

Plus there is a video component, featuring over 100 frogs, finger-drawn on his iPhone!

It highlights the struggle amphibians face, with more threats to their survival than ever before.

The publicly voted-on event runs from September 23 to Oct 10.



If you'd like a frog sculpture or statue for your garden, poolside, or landscape, check out our selection of pieces! ALL at CLEARANCE pricing! That's one of ours pictured above!

Please note: We are in no way affiliated with Steve Worthington or do we sell his sculptures.

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Bronze Sculptures highlight Endangered and Extinct Birds

Portland riverfront bird sculpture by Todd McGrain highlights species threats, extinction
OregonianLive.com
by Carolina Hidalgo

Starkly silhouetted against the Willamette River, five somber birds stand on a patch of grass at the southern tip of Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Elegant, melancholy and frozen in time, they silently invite passers-by to touch them, to take photos, to wonder where they came from.

From a distance, artist Todd McGrain, sporting a baseball cap and dirt-covered jeans, contentedly watched this week as people interacted with his larger-than-life sculptures.

Cast in blackened bronze, standing about 6 feet tall and weighing up to 700 pounds, the sculptures came from his studio in Ithaca, N.Y., where he's an associate art professor at Cornell University. Each one memorializes an extinct species.

The sculptures, presented by the Audubon Society of Portland and installed Wednesday, will remain for six months with the aim of raising awareness of the dangers facing today's bird populations.

"Once you know something of the life of that species, you realize that not having it in the world is a huge loss," McGrain said. That realization, in turn, is meant to provoke thought about human consumption of natural resources and disregard for the environment.

Nearly a third of the nation's 800 species are endangered or face significant threats, according to a 2009 report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with climate change adding to long-standing threats such as hunting and deforestation.

"There have always been changes in climate," said Brad Bortner, Portland-based chief of Fish and Wildlife's migratory birds division. "But we're seeing an accelerating rate of change now."

McGrain made three identical sets of bird sculptures as part of "The Lost Bird Project" and has long wanted to display a set in Portland because of the city's progressiveness and social conscience, he said. But there was a practical reason, too.

"Right now, there's a great deal of stress on the environment of the West Coast, and we're at an important place to remember past losses," he said.

He contacted Portland's Audubon Society five years ago after finishing his first sculpture. "I thought it was intriguing back then, and I had only seen one photo of the passenger pigeon," said Executive Director Meryl Redisch, recalling her first chat with McGrain.

Portland's display includes a Labrador duck, shyly preening; a passenger pigeon, an iconic extinct bird; and the Carolina parakeet, stripped of its vibrant color but bending forward with curiosity. Next is the heath hen, which McGrain calls feisty; and a great auk, one he has a particular fondness for and finds hardest to describe.

"There's no single word for the great auk," McGrain said, brushing its surface clean with his hands. "He's a real character. Like a penguin -- just a really wonderful character."

After the birds end their Portland run, McGrain would like them to visit other West Coast cities. "L.A. and Seattle -- wherever they can find roosts," he said with a laugh. He's breaking up another set, permanently placing each sculpture where the bird was last seen. And he wants the third set, still in his studio, to tour the East Coast.

McGrain got to know the long-gone species by visiting museum specimens and studying their relatives' behavior. He kept a homing pigeon in his studio for six months. Before deciding on poses, he crafted about a dozen models of each bird.

The sculptures' dark, minimalist forms are meant to draw people in and to inspire them to seek more information about the lost birds. McGrain spent a lot of time sanding them to be seamless and tactile, he said, like a beach stone. He chose a matte black finish because of the way it absorbs light.

"They're like black voids," McGrain said, watching two young women taking photos of the birds. He plans to visit the sculptures regularly over the next few weeks, photographing the community's interaction with them.

Soon, a sign will go up to explain their meaning.

"The information will really make a difference," he said as a man approached the young women to ask if they knew anything about the birds. When they couldn't help, he strode toward McGrain.

It seems years of getting to know the creatures won't let McGrain forget their transitory nature.

"Well," McGrain began, gesturing toward his birds, "it's temporary."



If you're in need of a beautiful bronze sculpture of a bird or birds, check out our selection of birds at our website!

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Post Time Bronze Harness Horse Ebay

Our piece was featured on a local t.v. show! The video above is from a show called Post Time filmed for the Delmarva region. Along with this fantastic piece we have several other life size bronze horses available as well as many equestrian themed fountains.

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When nature and sculpture collide!

Talk about getting a little too close for comfort! This moose doesn't need a scent, just a good visual. The piece is by famed artist Joy Kroeger Beckner. I guess the realism is too much for this moose to resist.

If YOU'RE in the market for a wildlife sculpture or statue, we have a large in-stock selection available at wholesale prices. Including OUR bronze bison.

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THREE DAY SALE! 50% OFF RETAIL PRICING for ENTIRE IN-STOCK SELECTION

For 3 Days Only, you can get a beautiful hand made, museum quality, bronze sculpture, statue, or fountain for an incredible 50% off the retail price! We only offer this a couple times a year so don't miss out. Save on our full in-stock selection of bronze animals, children, and fountains. Now you can add that missing piece to your garden or poolside decor! Check out our website to see all our beautiful sculptures. Hurry though, the sale ends Friday!

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BigBronze.com is going to be on TV! Horse and Sulky Statue featured

Coming this Memorial Day weekend we'll be featured on a local TV show called POST TIME! The host saw our Horse and Sulky bronze sculpture statue and fell in love. She came by last week and took some footage and did an interview with our founder, Darren Hussey. The show can be seen on local affiliates in Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware as well as some counties in Maryland. The video will be available for all to see on her youtube channel! We'll put up a link as sson as it's available!

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The 10 Most Ridiculous Mascots Of All Time | Bleacher Report

The 10 Most Ridiculous Mascots Of All Time Bleacher Report


Speaking of Mascots, we carry a full line of life size and larger than life Mascots in-stock! We can also custom make your mascot in beautiful bronze at an incredible price!



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Giant Replica DaVinci Horse Sculpture finds a home

by Pat Brennan, thestar.com

A copy of Leonardo da Vinci's bronze horse has chosen Michigan as its stomping ground at the Frederik Meijer Gardens.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Leonardo da Vinci never did get to see his horse come in.

Although he drew up plans for a mammoth 7.3-metre bronze horse for his hometown of Milan more than 500 years ago, his clay model was destroyed by the invading French.

Today, Leo as he was known in the old neighbourhood could see his design fulfilled in his hometown in Italy. Or just 580 kilometres down the road from Toronto in Grand Rapids, Mich.

U.S. grocery store magnate Frederik Meijer helped sponsor the creation of Leonardo da Vincis horse in Milan. Meijer also thought his hometown could also use a spectacular sculpture of da Vincis horse.
Thats why Grand Rapids has an exact copy of the Milan statue. In Michigan its called the American Horse.

A team of Clydesdales pulled a shroud off the huge sculpture in September 1999. Time Magazine declared the horse sculpture one of the 10 best international designs of that year.

It stands in Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park where Meijer and his wife have deposited much of their private sculpture collection. The garden is a 51-hectare nature preserve where large sculptures by some of Americas finest artists are lurking among the forests and wetlands. You can walk the boardwalk trails, or ride an open tram through the park.

Many more fine creations are displayed in various indoor galleries, plus copies of da Vincis own drawings for his horse. There is also a detailed description about how the 15-ton horse was created.

As well as artwork, Frederik Meijer Gardens (www.meijergardens.org) features plenty of natures beautiful creations. A three-storey greenhouse houses colourful birds from exotic South Sea Islands and the flowers, shrubs and trees that make them feel right at home.

But be careful where you walk. The greenhouse is also home to Kiwi, the little birds from New Zealand that cant fly. They skitter amidst your feet.

Frederik Meijer Gardens hosts a wide variety of flower and plant shows each spring. And in April the place is alive with butterflies, which will eventually be released from the glass dome to make their way south.

The sculpture park is on East Beltline Ave. N.E., just off Interstate 96 on the Toronto side of Grand Rapids. Its open every day until 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Thursday during the summer months. Admission is $12 (all figures U.S.) for adults and $9 for seniors.

Frederik Meijer isnt the only local boy to do well. Grand Rapids was also home to President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty. His presidential library has been built on the west bank of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.

Meijer had a portion of the original Berlin Wall built in the lobby of Fords presidential museum. It also features holdings from Washingtons Smithsonian Museum, which circulates many of its materials and displays through the Grand Rapids facility the centrepiece of an eight-hectare riverside park in the heart of an attractive downtown core.



Need your own monumental statue? We can make your custom piece a reality! We also have a large selection equestrian related pieces available!

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Giant horse sculpture intended to become a new landmark in Kent have been given planning permission

As stated on sculptsite.com

EBBSFLEET VALLEY, KENT THAMESIDE, UK - Artist Mark Wallinger's White Horse is 33 times life-size and, overlooking the A2 in the Ebbsfleet Valley, will be seen by up to 60 million people a year.

The steel-frame scheme, selected following a competition, was unanimously approved yesterday by Gravesham Borough Council.

The backers of the project, Eurostar, Land Securities and London & Continental Railways, have so far injected around £1 million of seed funding to get the project off the ground.

Wallinger said: "This is a tremendously exciting project. I was honoured that my White Horse won the competition and I am delighted that Gravesham Borough Council has granted it planning permission. The team and I are very much looking forward to creating a new landmark for the area."

Project Director Mark Davy said the sculpture would "act as an important catalyst for the cultural identity of the area".

"Ebbsfleet Valley will be a major new mixed-use development, which is set to become a hub for an emerging new economy in the South-east," he added.

Other parties involved in the project include engineer Alliance Design Group.




If you're interested in something a bit smaller, say lifesize, check out our selection of lifesize horses. We have several styles for the equestrian enthusiast.

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Adding style to your landscape this Spring with Sculpture and Fountains

Looking for a way to add some style, beauty, or character to your landscape or garden project? At bigbronze.com, we have a large in-stock inventory of bronze sculptures, statues, and fountains that are perfect for just such a need. We carry pieces in all subject matter and styles. From nautical to kids and animals to classical, we've got you covered. If you want something we don't carry, just ask and we can have a custom piece made! Our prices can't be beat. Check us out today!

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Garden Trends 2010: Creating an outdoor living space with sculpture

With a ever shrinking economy, the shift in focus to create a backyard oasis or "room" has become extremely popular. Experts urge people to really take advantage of the spaces we have and really utilize them for maximum enjoyment. Bold colors and edible gardens are replacing boring drab grasses and shrubs. But like any well decorated room, there has to be some points of interest to embelish the natural beauty of the garden and landscaping.

Enter garden art. Especially metal sculptures and fountains. They are an easy way to add to the serenity and overall theme of your backyard paradise. The possibilities are endless, as are some of the prices! Metal sculpture, such as bronze, is great because it is low maintainence and very durable. It goes well in virtually every setting and can be purchased for bargain prices. They also come in a wide variety of themes including nautical, classical, equestrian, eastern and asian, and wildlife styles.

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Product Focus: Equestrian Sculptures, Statues, and Fountains

One of our most popular product lines are sculptures, statues, and fountains that focus on an equestrian theme. Horses seem to strike a chord with people. The majestic, powerful, and graceful nature of these animals is used as a symbol for a broad range of reasons. It may be used as a school mascot or professional team, to symbolize what industry a ranch or training facility specializes in, even as the marquee of a community or business or simply as an addition to a park or public space. When people see a sculpture or fountain that features horses they just seem to swell with pride. These animals have almost become as much a symbol of the American way as the Bald Eagle. If you have a ranch, school, or business with an equestrian theme there are few better ways to draw attention than a large bronze statue or fountain.

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