Gerald Balciar

Born in northern Wisconsin, Gerald George Balciar has had an interest in art since childhood. He portrays the gentle side of nature and works from his extensive library of wildlife materials for reference. Balciar's interest in creating monumental marble sculptures separates him from many artists working in the field today.

Balciar worked as a taxidermist immediately following graduation from high school. He began sculpting life-size animals for use as mannequins. In 1973, Balciar began sculpting animals in marble and bronze. Many artists employ assistants to work through particular steps or even the whole process, leaving only the finishing touches for the artist. Balciar, however, is greatly respected for participating in the entire process. He sculpts in wax or clay and makes molds, and then, in the foundry, he welds, metal chases, and applies his own patinas and finishing touches to each bronze. Balciar works with live subjects as well as from sketches, magazine clippings, photographs, and models.

Balciar has won many awards throughout his career, including nine from the National Sculpture Society.