Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Sculpture Awards Exhibition at Brookgreen Gardens

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LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze
LUNA by Richard Blake, Clay for Bronze

The Annual Awards Exhibition is the National Sculpture Society’s most popular exhibition – and no wonder. The sculptures on display range from the traditional to the otherworldly, and include everything from portrait busts and figures, to animals, both domestic and wild. Almost 200 artists applied to the competition which offers thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

The exhibit opens on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Brookgreen Gardens. The juried show features the figurative works of 48 members. The show will be exhibited exclusively on the grounds of the historic gardens located on Pawleys Island, where it will be on display through October 31.

Fellows (FNSS), Elected Members (NSS), and Associates comprise the levels of sculptor membership of the organization, which is international in scope and appeal. National Sculpture Society and its members are dedicated to the creation and showcasing of art that is inspired by nature.

John Svenson :: White Pine Owl Wood
WHITE PINE OWL by John Svenson , Wood

National Sculpture Society was founded in New York City in 1893 by a group of America’s most prominent sculptors. Its members have created much of this country’s public sculpture, coins, and medals since the late 1800s. It is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States, and has been hosting exhibitions for over a century.

Sculptors featured in the exhibition include: Seth Alexander; Béla Bácsi, FNSS; Tammy Bality, Richard Becker; Richard Blake, FNSS; Marlys Boddy; Paige Bradley, NSS; Kate Brockman; Mary Buckman; Aldo Casanova, FNSS; Jiwoong Cheh; Tim Cherry, FNSS; Bob Coffee; John Coleman, FNSS; Jane DeDecker, FNSS; Mick Doellinger; Deon Duncan;
Clay Enoch; Edward Fleming; Steven Flom; Gail Folwell;
Jay F. Goldstein; Ingo Heinrich-Appel; Amy Kann, NSS; Robert Kelly; Stephen Layne; Matthew Lewis; Richard A. Moore, III; Dora Natella, NSS; Leo E. Osborne, NSS; Pokey Park; Louise Peterson, FNSS; Tom Player; Alan Proctor; Jim Rennert, NSS; Paul Rhymer; David Rogers;
Rosetta, FNSS; Wayne Salge; Stefan Savides; Sandy Scott, NSS; Tim Shinabarger, FNSS; John Svenson, FNSS; Melinda Whitmore; Ellen Woodbury; Steve Worthington; Gary Yarrington; and Rod Zullo, NSS.

The 77th Annual Awards Exhibition is open daily to the public, 9:30 AM
to 5:00 PM, and is free with regular admission to the Gardens. A catalogue of the show will be made available for purchase at the Brookgreen Gardens gift shop. For more information about National Sculpture Society or this exhibition, please visit www.nationalsculpture.org or www.brookgreens.com.

OCTOHANDY by Richard Moore, III - Bronze
OCTOHANDY by Richard Moore, III - Bronze

It’s a Frog-Strangling Downpour in Charleston

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It’s not raining cats and dogs, it’s more of a frog strangler when the new sculpture exhibit is opening at the Hamlet Gallery for Charles Smith and sons, Zan and Beau. The exhibit is called “It’s Raining Frogs” and consists of a new collection of human-size copper frog sculptures.

Thinking Frog
"Thinking Frog" by Zan Smith

The Humble Beginning
The beginning of the human-size copper frog emerged in 1974 when Charles Smith started making metal sculptures(following a career in science and engineering). His first subjects were clowns and dancers made with sheet copper overlaid with brass from one to two feet tall.
“Natural subject matter, coupled with the basic desire to render the life size image of the human form in metal are the forces that led to the copper frog” says Charles.  The frogs have evolved over the years, first sitting on the ground, then standing, holding a wine bottle, martini glass, reading a book, playing an instrument and other various human activities.  Sizes have varied also, large to small and back to the human-size again.  The “Spoleto Dancing” frogs in the courtyard stand around 7 feet tall and are perfectly asymmetrical.

Charles’ sons, Beau and Zan, learned metal sculpture while growing up, and became “Frogsmiths” after their father.  The sons continue to contribute in the development of the medium and collaborate on the art and craft of the human size copper frog.  Charles and Zan each have a studio in a natural setting on a small, family island in the South Carolina Lowcountry, south of Charleston.  Beau works independently in Atlanta, Georgia.

Goblet Frog
"Goblet Frog" by Beau Smith

The Art of Expression and Body Language
Each frog is made individually and has its own character in expression and body language.  They do not use templates, or helpers.  The artists primarily use copper, brass and stainless steel, and have developed over the years a special process for initiating the verdigris patina.  Each frog is signed, dated and copyrighted on a stainless steel plate near the foot of the frog statue. “These frog creatures have “soul” and are “crowd pleasers”, making people smile” says Stephanie Shuler Hamlet of the Hamlet Fine Art Gallery.

The reception takes place on  Friday, August 7th , 5-8 pm. The exhibit continues the whole month of August. For more information, contact the Hamlet Fine art Gallery at 843-722-1944 or www.hamletgallery.com

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