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."