Knox Gallery in Beaver Creek hosts wildlife sculpture artist

BEAVER CREEK – Gerald Balciar, known for his readily identifiable artistic style which is grounded in an in-depth knowledge of animals, visits Knox Gallery in Beaver Creek for an artist reception today and Sunday.

For reference, Balciar works from his extensive library of wildlife material which includes photos, magazine clippings, books, and numerous study casts and measurements. He also uses live models as an invaluable aid in his sculptures and receives excellent cooperation from zoologists and wildlife organizations.Balciar is involved in the creative process of bronze making from the beginning to the end. He works his original sculpture in wax or clay and then personally makes his own molds and chases his own waxes. Once the bronze is cast at the foundry, he does the welding and metal chasing and then applies the patina and finishing touches to each bronze.

While doing an 18-foot bronze elk in 1982, he devised a point up system that revolutionized the traditional enlargement process. His largest bronze sculpture to date is 20-foot bronze moose, “Centennial,” which was installed in Mooseheart, Ill., to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Loyal Order of the Moose in 1988. His largest marble carving is an 18-foot, 16,000 pound cougar, “Canyon Princess,” which was installed at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City in June, 1995.For more information on the show, call the gallery at 949- 5564.

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Vail, Colorado