As the late Harry Broudy said, “What society deems important is enshrined in its art.”
As a sculptor of monumental bronze and marble artwork, this statement holds profound truth for me. I am blessed to be able to use my skills to commemorate individuals who are an inspiration to millions of people. I have created artwork that graces public and private collections across the United States and around the world. My artwork often focuses on the concept of destiny because I have felt destiny in my own life. I consider my talent in art to be a gift from God.
As the book of Proverbs says, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” This ancient wisdom has certainly rung true in my life. I was a struggling student, with a young family, and I was working a part-time, minimum wage job when inspiration hit me. I created a life size sculpture of the biblical figure, Samson. The Samson sculpture garnered a lot of attention, and I received a call from an airport board member. He asked me if I’d be interested in presenting a design to create a sculpture for their new airport building. The call was completely surreal! I was supporting my young family on Government programs like food stamps and rent assistance. We were barely getting by on my $5 per hour part time. I would have cleaned the floors in the airport for extra money, yet here I was being asked if I was interested in a monumental sculpture commission. It was a dream come true!
I completed the airport war memorial sculpture during my junior year of college and followed up with a commission for the United States Capitol during my senior year. What started as a passionate pastime soon snowballed into an amazing career. I am on the brink of installing my fourth sculpture for the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. I have done work for the Smithsonian Museum, the Muskegon Museum of Art, Forest Hills Cemetery, and The Sorgente Collection in Rome, Italy.
Amidst this thrilling and incredible rise, I always try my best to live by John Wooden’s adage, “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” When other artist’s ask me how to achieve extrinsic success (like big commissions or awards) I always tell them that I never went into art for any of those types of accolades. I create art because of the intrinsic impulse to express ideas through the medium in which I am most adept. I will never forget what my dad told me when I asked him whether or not I should major in art, “Do what you love, and even if you never make a dime, you’ll be a success. "This is the true secret to real success.
You have to follow the creative spark; the gift that God has put into your soul. If you do that, you will always be a success. I firmly believe that this is something we should all live by. If you approach your creative passion for the right reasons, you may surprise yourself and rise higher than you ever could have imagined!
• Daisy Bates: United States Capitol Building, National Statuary Hall, Washington D.C. –To be dedicated in 2022
8’ bronze sculpture depicting the civil rights leader striding forward as she holds a newspaper in one hand and her journalist notepad and pen in the other, as she leads the march towards equality.
• Dino Ghilotti Memorial Sculpture: Marin Catholic High School, Marin County, CA –2021
8’ bronze sculpture depicting Dino Ghilotti standing in his Marin Catholic Football Uniform as he gazes onto the football field.
• Idaho Veterans Memorial: Idaho Veterans Cemetery, Boise, ID – 2021
The sculpture depicts a male soldier kneeling with hands clasped in prayer holding the dog tags of the fallen, and a female soldier standing ready and placing her hand on the back of her fellow warrior.
• Chief Standing Bear: United States Capitol Building, National Statuary Hall, Washington D.C. –2019
10’ bronze sculpture depicting the Ponca Chief reaching out his hand, just as he did in his landmark court case.
• Alexander Hamilton: United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT –2018
8’ tall bronze sculpture of Alexander Hamilton as he holds the document with which he instituted the Coast Guard.
• Jesus With the Children: Christian Cemetery, Columbia, SD. –2018
Over life size bronze sculpture depicting the Bible story of Jesus with the Children from Matt. 19:14.
• Women’s Legacy Memorial: Kokomo, IN –Dedication Planned 2018
Bronze sculpture depicting three life-size women: Rosie the Riveter, Lt. Col. Shawna Kimbrell, and a modern-day female soldier with a musket and a prosthetic leg to symbolize the physical and emotional sacrifice of servicewomen.
• Answering the Call (Tempe Public Safety Memorial): Tempe Beach Park, Tempe, AZ – December 2016
This over life-size memorial honoring the Tempe firefighters, police officers, and canines who have lost their lives protecting the community of Tempe.
“Without a doubt, Ben is an enormously talented artist. His works transcend their reference to nature as they evoke a variety of emotions. His insights into the human condition and his ability to give form to his concepts are reflective of thorough research and mastery of his craft."
• Coach Jim Valvano: North Carolina State Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, NC – September 2016
Life-size sculpture depicting the coach who famously led his team to a Cinderella championship victory in 1983.
• Coach Everett Case: North Carolina State Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, NC – September 2016
Life-size sculpture depicting the Coach credited with “Bringing basketball to the South”.
• Lyle Smith: Albertson’s Stadium, Boise State University, Boise, ID – September 2016
Life-size sculpture depicting “the father of Boise State football,” known for never having a losing season in his 20 years as coach of the Broncos.
• Gretchen Fraser: Olympic Women’s Monument, Sun Valley, ID – August 2016
Over life-size sculpture depicting the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in skiing.
• Senator Richard Bryan: University of Nevada, Reno, NV – April 2016
Over life-size sculpture depicting the Senator reading the student newspaper at his alma mater.
• R.A. “Bob” Hoover: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. – April 2016
Life-size sculpture honoring the former WWII fighter pilot, prisoner of war, and United States Air Force test pilot, referred to in many aviation circles as the greatest “stick and rudder” pilot ever to have lived.
• Paul Petzoldt, National Outdoor Leadership School founder: Lander, WY – October 2015
7’6” bronze sculpture depicting the National Outdoor Leadership School’s founder dressed for wilderness adventure with his hand gesturing upward towards the nature he loved and shared with so many.
• Veterans Families War Memorial: Darrough Chapel Park, Kokomo, IN - September 2015
Three life-size bronze sculptures depicting a serviceman, man, woman and child’s enduring faith through military service.
• Kentucky State Police Monument: Kentucky State Police Training Facility, Frankfort, Kentucky, 2015
8’ trooper depicted stepping forward into the line of duty, just as those coming out of the Kentucky State Police Training Facility behind him.
• The Victor: Peru State College, Peru, NE – August 2015
7’6” bronze sculpture of a football player in historic uniform with a leather helmet, dedicated at the renovated Oak Bowl Stadium.
• Seven Sorrows of Mary: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen, SD – June 2015
Over life-size Carrara white marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary standing with clasped, praying hands while a tear streams down her delicate cheek.
• Steve Appleton: Boise State University, Boise, ID – September 2014
9’ bronze sculpture depicting the late CEO of Micron in his suit and tie with his hand extended in welcome to all who pass by.
• Cecil Harris: Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD – June 2014
8’ bronze sculpture depicting WWII Navy Pilot Cecil Harris standing proudly in his 1940’s pilots' uniform, including goggles, helmet and vest.
• Dr. Norman Borlaug: United States Capitol Building, National Statuary Hall, Washington, DC – March 2014
7’ bronze sculpture of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and agronomist standing, hat on, journal open, with wheat blowing behind him.
• Dave Winfield: Collection of the Winfield Family, California – 2013
Bronze Portrait bust of the athlete, leader and 2001 MLB Hall of Fame inductee.
• Our Heritage is Our Future: California Trail Interpretive Center, Elko, NV – June 2013, Altona, Manitoba, Canada-2013
Life-size bronze sculpture of a Native American woman carrying her infant on her back in an intricately crafted cradle board.
• Generations: Wheat Growers, Aberdeen, SD - June 2013
Four over life-size bronze figures depicting a grandfather and his son, daughter in law, and grandson, which symbolizes the American tradition of family farming.
• Monument to Nurses: Medical Center Healing Garden, Fargo, ND – May 2013
Three life-size bronze sculptures in a scene; a nurse with an elderly patient in a wheelchair and his grandson observing.
• Heart of Humanity: Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD – February 2012
5’ bronze sculpture representing the human heart with four life-size figures depicting four humanities.
• Helen J. Stewart: Old Fort Museum, Las Vegas, NV - December 2011
Life-size sculpture of the Las Vegas businesswoman and socialite striding forward surrounded by icons from throughout her life.
• Monument to Oil Workers: Taft, CA - October 2011
Three 8' tall turn-of-the-century oil workers working on a 38’ tall, 25,000-pound bronze oil derrick; one of California’s largest bronze monuments.
• Rhode Island State Policeman: Rhode Island State Police Headquarters, Scituate, RI - November 2010
8’9” bronze figure of a Rhode Island State Policeman standing at attention in the traditional and iconic uniform.
• Where Cultures Meet: California State University, Dominguez Hills, Los Angeles, CA - October 2010
15’ tall globe with ten life-size figures representing and celebrating cultures around the world.
• Monument to Firefighters: Aberdeen, SD - October 2009; Lawrence, KS - January 2007
7’ 6” tall bronze sculpture depicting a firefighter in a heroic stance as he bravely faces danger to save others.
• Monument to WWII Aviators: Boise International Airport, Boise, ID - May 2009
Over life-size bronze sculpture depicting a WWII bomber pilot as he walks out onto the airfield towards the call of duty.
• Monument to 1st Battalion 1st Marines: Castaways Park, Newport Beach, CA - May 2008
Life-size bronze sculpture honoring the 1st Battalion 1st Marines; a U.S. Marine is enveloped in a black granite wall as he gazes over his shoulder at his family as he departs.
• Belle Babb Mansfield: Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA - 2008
8’ bronze sculpture depicting the first female lawyer in the United States, as she looks up from her open book and gazes at the viewer.
• Aberdeen War Memorial: Aberdeen Regional Airport, Aberdeen, SD - 2006
Three over life-size bronze soldiers personifying the reality of combat, the victory of American values, and the reflection and emotions of the aftermath.
• Sarah Winnemucca: United States Capitol Building, National Statuary Hall, Washington, DC - March 2005; Carson City,
NV - April 2005
Life-size bronze sculpture depicting the Northern Paiute author, activist, and educator in a windswept dress adorned with flowing fringe, holding a book at her waist with her left arm and a shellflower with her right hand.
• Youngest artist to have a sculpture in the United States Capitol National Statuary Hall, Sarah Winnemucca, State of Nevada
(2005).
• Only living artist with three sculptures in the United States Capitol National Statuary Hall collection; Sarah Winnemucca
(2005); Dr. Norman Borlaug (2014); Chief Standing Bear (2019).
• Recipient of National Sculpture Society’s 2018 “Alex J. Ettl Grant”, awarded in recognition for outstanding body of work
• 1st Place for “The Angel”, at the Museum of Modern European Art in Barcelona Spain, as part of the Art Renewal Center
International Salon, 2018
• 1st Place for “Bathsheba” at the Museum of Modern European Art in Barcelona Spain, as part of the Art Renewal Center
International Salon, 2013
• Recipient of National Sculpture Society’s “Roger T. Williams Award” for excellence in figure sculpture, 2003
• “Artist of the Year” awarded by the Nevada Arts Council, 2005
• “Artist of the Decade” awarded by the Kern County Arts Council in California, 2010
• “Best in Show” winner for “Michael the Archangel” at Windows to the Divine show in Denver, CO, 2011
• “Historic Preservation Award” awarded by the City of Las Vegas for “Helen J. Stewart”, 2011
• Published in numerous major media outlets including: CSPAN, The Washington Post, PBS, NPR, ESPN, American Fine Art
Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Sculpture Review
