What’s News !

On June 30th and July 1st the new River Studios were dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This marks the completion of the new studios where Andrew sculpts the clay models and also casts his bronze  sculptures.

A crowd of friends, collectors and supporters gathered both days to witness the event and see the new studios which rose up from the ashes of the fire that destroyed the original studios in 2016. (see other post in What’s News) Andrew thanked everyone both there and those who could not attend, those who had both volunteered their physical labor and who sent in gifts of dollars that made the new studios possible.

Andrew’s wife and his longtime friend and collector Harold Rudin did the honors of cutting the ribbon. afterwards people entered the new building and Andrew answered questions while leading people through the bronze process. Music by Rosie Porter and Tommy LeBeau entertained a crowd in the modelling studio.

A wonderful article appeared in the Berkshire Eagle about the new studios which you can read here.

Andrew also sent a letter to the Editor of the Berkshire Eagle which was published Sunday July 8th which you can enjoy here:

Thank you to our community and The Berkshire Eagle

Nearly two years ago our bronze casting studio was destroyed by fire. The journey began with friends who collect our artwork sending us monetary donations, while others volunteered their physical hard labor to begin the large task of rebuilding. The Lenox Chamber of Commerce held a fundraiser at Ventfort Hall, who donated a night in their beautiful museum increasing the funds needed for the project. Donations came in from everywhere in many forms which provided not only the necessary monies but most importantly the inspiration to move forward.

We wish to thank The Berkshire Eagle, its business reporter Tony Drobrowolski and photographers Ben Garver, Gillian Jones and Stephanie Zollshan for covering the story through to its successful ending.

We also wish to thank the Town of Middlefield for their support in our efforts.

Art builds a community. The Berkshires has always been a place where artists of many different forms and diversity can thrive because of the community. Patricia and I wish to thank everyone in our community who has helped us in getting back on our own artistic path.

Sculptor Andrew DeVries and Patricia Purdy

Echoes Commission Progress

“When I take the clay into my hands, it’s like taking a deep breath, says Andrew, and as the figure becomes more complete I feel the expression of the original vision being brought to life.” 

After so many months spent on rebuilding River Studio, Andrew is now steadily focused on enlarging the clay of Echoes, his bronze sculpture showing a male dancer suspended within a Mobius strip at the moment of his reaching for eternity. Commissioned by Richard Chorney, President and CEO of the Grove School for his home in Madison, Connecticut, this sculpture will be in an edition of only three, with Richard receiving the very first casting in the edition. This edition will be reaching a height of seven feet from the bottom to the top of its bronze Mobius curve. (See photo of original below). The original version of Echoes is in an edition of eight, with only four left in that edition.

The pantograph (the device shown in the picture above) was used to measure different points intended to be transferred from the original bronze maquette to the new sculpture. As you can see from the picture, the pantograph is still in use at this stage, with the ‘point up’ of the Echoes armature completed and the first layer of clay applied.  Andrew has now begun modeling the figure itself, and as these progresses, he will use the pantograph less and less, relying more on his artistic vision to bring the work to life. The Mobius strip will be sculpted once the clay figure is completed. The sculpture will be the first work poured in bronze at the new casting studio and is scheduled to be completed and installed at Richard’s home in Madison during the summer of 2018.

This  presentation documents the rebuilding of River Studio.

This presentation shows the incredible transportation of both the fifteen foot tall Other Side of Eden from sculptor Andrew DeVries’ studio to the home of Tom and Mary Steffek Blaske in Ann Arbor, Michigan in September. 2017. The unveiling at their home took place on October 15th.

My deepest thanks to Tom and Mary for this commission – a work that took three years to complete and the work that first appeared in my mind’s vision some 37 years ago.

Also my thanks to Allen Williams of Chester Granite whose skills  made the the transport and installation of the sculpture possible.

Most of all my gratitude to my wife Patricia Purdy whose belief in the artwork never fails.

Hello There, the most recent bronze relief was unveiled at Open Studio in August. In a matter of one week 9 of the edition (12) were sold! Andrew is currently sending the last 3 through the ceramic shell mold process and hopes to have at least one ready for the Holiday Reception  to be held at DeVries Fine Art International in Lenox, MA on December 2nd.