Press Release
Herald Times Reporter
October 24, 2017
The Spirit of the River’s statues have left the studio, but artist, R.T. “Skip” Wallen has not. While the statues are being cast in bronze, Wallen is now busy in the studio sculpting a mama Black Bear and her two cubs jaunting atop a fallen log.
The art studio will be open to the public once again on Saturday, November 11 from 10:00 to noon. Visitors can see the nearly completed larger than life sized statues as well as meet with the artist. Named the “Family Outing”, the project is a private commission to be located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Visitors can also see a set of maquettes (small bronze models) of the Spirit of the Rivers, as well as posters and articles from the project. In addition, posters of Wallens’ other projects and examples of the lost wax bronze process are also available.
The Spirit of the Rivers, a 13ft. tall sculpture of three Native Americans portaging a birch bark canoe, is expected to be completely cast in bronze by the spring of 2018. The actual dedication of this unique and beautiful monument will take place in the fall of 2018.
