GARY LEE PRICE

Sculpture with meaning . Sculpture to lift the human spirit . Sculpture to inspire

Gary Lee Price sculptures capture this unique human spirit. This is the essence of his work. This is his life's journey.

Literally, thousands of Gary Lee Price sculptures are in public and private collections throughout the world. One of the largest libraries in the world, the Hong Kong Central Library, is graced by the recent acquisition of twelve Gary Lee Price life-size bronze sculptures. This impressive display includes bronzes of intrigued young readers, happy children releasing doves, boys and girls playing with shells in water, some holding beautiful flowers, and others soaring through the air as though weightless. Additionally, two round frogs, "Puffed Up Princes," are stationed as sentinels at the entrance of the children's library.

The 11-foot "Celebration!" featuring joyous children celebrating life and soaring around a globe, was first unveiled in Surrey, England at the American Community Schools. The most recent of these was dedicated in Decatur, Georgia by former First Lady, Rosalyn Carter. A 22-foot version of a similar sculpture is located at the entrance of the corporate headquarters for NuSkin International in Provo, Utah.

Gary's 12-foot angel, "Messenger" monument, in Iceland, honors over 400 early immigrants to the United States.

Gary's sculpture "Communion," a 15-foot monument portraying grasping hands, graces the United Methodist Church of Brentwood, Tennessee. The interaction-of-hands theme has been an important aspect of his work as reflected in other pieces such as "Synergy," Helping Hand," "Ascent," "Circle of Peace," and "Circle of Friends." Uplifting others, helping others, and joining hands with others in brotherhood and sisterhood are essential parts of the life of Gary Lee Price. Perhaps the unexpected and tragic loss of his parents at age six and the subsequent abuse anchored within him the importance of enduring and positive relationships, and of the need to see and depict humanity in a positive light and on an upward journey.

Gary finds travel and research an important part of his life. For two years he lived in Germany, he spent six months in Israel, one month touring the jungles and ruins of Mexico and Guatemala, and one month in Egypt. He visited eleven different European countries for three months. A recent trip found Gary and his family in Giverny, France doing research on one of his latest life-size sculptures of Claude Monet and "Monet's Gaggle".

In 1991, Gary was elected a member of the National Sculpture Society. In November 2001, he received the "Governor's Mansion Artist Award," from Governor Michael Leavitt of Utah, for his outstanding support of the arts. Aside from his sculpture images gracing the covers of various magazines and books, the December 2003 issue of Utah Valley Magazine featured a cover story on Gary and his career entitled, "The Spirit of Giving." In 2005, it was announced that this prolific sculptor has been selected to create the 300-foot Statue of Responsibility on the west coast of the United States.

His works are included in public and private collections in homes, galleries, museums, libraries, corporations, cities, and educational institutions throughout the world, including the following: Springville Museum of Art; Salt Lake County Permanent Arts Collection; Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana; American Community Schools of Surry, England; Westside Preparatory School of Chicago; LDS Museum of Church History & Art of Salt Lake City, Utah; Rich De Voss Women's and Children's Hospital of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dallas Arboretum; Birmingham Botanical Gardens; Scottish Rite Children's Hospital of Dallas, Texas; Gladney Center of Fort Worth; Galleria Paseo Mall of Puerto Rico; Santa Clara City Library ; Bluegrass Airport of Lexington, Kentucky; Neverland Ranch of Los Olivios, California; University of California Berkeley; Cessna Aircraft of Wichita, Kansas; Indianapolis Children's Museum; and many more places of private and public gatherings.

Gary Lee Price has been sculpting professionally for over 25 years and has supported a successful fine art business during those years. His latest corporate endeavor is the creation of Little Bitz of Inspiration. This is an exciting company that will increase awareness of Gary's work and passion for creating a better world. Some of his all-time favorite works will be produced in collectible pewter form.

The 50-year-old sculptor resides in Springville, Utah. He credits his success to his mother, who instilled in Gary the ability to express himself through art; to his friend and wife, Lanea, who offers constant love and support; and to their five boys-Zachariah, Isaiah, Tyrone, Raphael, and Justin-who provide constant inspiration. "My passion for art and my belief that art empowers and lifts the human spirit has only grown stronger throughout my life. I have been blessed with many generous and selfless mentors, and my dream is to pass on those gifts to others. Gary believes in 'perpetual student-hood' and teaches regularly at his studio in his hometown of Springville, Utah.

Gary muses, "I hope I can assist the world in visualizing a place where fences and boundaries, both real and imagined, are non-existent; a place where bias and prejudice are long forgotten; and finally, a place where acts of kindness, mutual respect, and love are everyday happenings."

"The spirit of man is what makes him unique above all of God's creations."

Ralph Waldo Emerson