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Mike
Curtis is well known for creating beautiful and inspiring wildlife
sculptures in bronze. He has been sculpting the bald eagle since
1971 and is considered the foremost sculptor of this magnificent
creature. His artistic and accurate renditions of the bald eagle
are widely recognized as those best capturing the beauty and freedom
of our nation's proud symbol. Throughout the year, Bald Eagles
dive in the lake after fish and perch in the trees near his studio.
Studying eagles in the wild, Curtis observes their courtship rituals,
nesting habits, and drawing their catches from the waters of the
lakes and rivers. His commanding portrayals of the powerful and
symbolic eagle remain unequaled.
Exhibitions of Curtis sculptures include the Audubon Art Exhibition
in Alaska and The National Sculpture Society in New York. His
sculptures have also been exhibited in museums across the country,
most notably: the Alaska Museums Tour organized by the Gulf Oil
Corporation; the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum; and the Museum
of the Rockies.
Mike Curtis sculptures have been presented both to and by United
States Presidents. He was the artist chosen by the White House
to prepare a work of art, presented by President George Bush,
which would symbolize the proud heritage of the United States.
A Curtis sculpture was also presented to President Gerald Ford
upon his retirement.
The United States Department of Defense Advanced Research Project
Agency has commissioned Mike Curtis bronze sculptures for presentation
to the winning competitors of one of the worlds most prestigious
events. The highly competitive event draws engineers and talented
designers from around the world engaged in scientific research
and the design of future technologies.
Mike Curtis and Carl Artman, Assistant Secretary
of the Interior for Indian Affairs
Above right: Mike Curtis prepares an Eagle Monument for installation.
To honor our bravest heroes, Mike Curtis has been commissioned
to create sculptures for Veterans Memorials across the country.
For the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for
the freedom of our country, Curtis was commissioned to sculpt
the POW/MIA Bronze Eagle Memorials for both Fort Benning and the
city of Columbus, Georgia. Dedicated at a special Freedom Ride
Ceremony, the first memorial was installed outside the Columbus
Government Center. The sculpture depicts an eagle that has just
broken free from its chains, above an engraved granite monument.
A Gathering of Eagles book series Prisoners of Hope prominently
features the Curtis sculpture on its cover. Stories of leadership,
courage, and faith, this inspiring book by Col Jimmie Dean Coy
is dedicated to "those men and women who endured more for
the cause of freedom than any other single group, The American
Ex-Prisoner of War."
To commemorate the sacrifices made by the sons and
daughters of Greene County, Iowa, Curtis was commissioned to provide
a sculpture for a special memorial honoring all of Greene County's
fallen soldiers. The memorial was presented to the citizens on
behalf of the family of Lance Corporal Benjamin Robert Carman,
lost in Iraq. The American Eagle sculpture "Flight"
was selected as the centerpiece of the memorial. Each side of
the granite pedestal, on which the sculpture is mounted, has a
century 1800's, 1900's and 2000, with the number of Greene County
service men and women that have paid the ultimate price of freedom
in the course of freedoms fight. The memorial has been placed
in the County's Courthouse.
Curtis was commissioned to sculpt five life-size
eagles for the All Veterans Memorial Park in New Mexico, situated
along the banks of the Animas River. The memorial recognizes the
contributions of all American Veterans - past, present, and future.
In addition to Georgia, Iowa, and New Mexico, Curtis
has been commissioned to create bronze sculptures for Veterans
Memorials in Texas, Ohio, Arkansas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
A life-size bronze eagle, created by Mike Curtis, was acquired
by the State of Mississippi for the War Memorial Building "Patriotism
Experience Museum" in the State Capitol. The historical museum
proudly pays tribute to the soldiers of all wars and those who
have sacrificed to bring the state forward.
In a 2003 ceremony held during the annual meeting of the Association
of the United States Army (AUSA) in Washington, D.C., a Curtis
sculpture was presented in conjunction with a special scholarship
award created on behalf of SGT Major Larry Strickland, senior
adviser on personnel issues to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S.
Army. SGT Major Strickland was lost on September 11th, when American
Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. His scholarship recognizes
noncommissioned officer involvement in the development of soldiers
through education.
Mike
Curtis was the artist selected to design and sculpt the "Culver
Centennial Eagle" for the Culver Military Academies in
Indiana. The inspiring monumental-size sculpture, depicting a
bald eagle with a fifteen-foot wingspan, was dedicated on the
one-hundredth year anniversary celebration of this historic institution.
Dedicated to law enforcement officers worldwide who have given
the ultimate sacrifice, a Mike Curtis Bronze Sculpture was commissioned
and installed at the
FBI National Academy Hall of Honor, Quantico, Virginia.
Mike Curtis has been commissioned to create sculptures for the
NASCAR races, which were presented both in Atlanta and in Daytona.
"Waves
of Success", "Flight",
and "Challenge" were among
those presented. At the Bass Pro Shops/MBNA 500 Winston Cup Races
- Atlanta Motor Speedway, winners Jeff Gordon (October 2003) and
Jimmie Johnson (October 2004) were presented with Curtis sculptures.
The 2003 race was dedicated to the sportsmen of America, celebrating
the 100th Anniversary of the National Wildlife
Refuge System and its creator, President Teddy Roosevelt. To commemorate
the event, Curtis was commissioned to help create the "Roosevelt-Rough
Rider Trophy". Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service, served as Grand Marshal for the race and
helped with the presentation of the Mike Curtis sculpture to the
race winner. July 2004, at Daytona International Speedway, Mike
Curtis sculptures were presented to Kerry Earnhardt, Richard Childress,
and Wayne Lapiere NRA.
Numerous corporations and individuals have selected Curtis sculptures
for their own collections, as well as for their most important
and memorable presentations. Several private resorts have commissioned
Mike Curtis sculptures as well. One of which is a life-size Red
Tail Hawk sculpture which was installed in 2005 at the site of
the beautiful new Heathrow Country Estates RedTail Golf Club,
Heathrow, Florida. Listed among the many well-recognized collectors
of his work is Astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last man to step foot
on the moon's surface and the commander of the Apollo 17 mission
and the Lunar Landing Module Challenger. Captain Cernan has acquired,
for his own collection, number 17 of the majestic American Bald
Eagle sculpture "Narrow
Escape".
Mike Curtis has fond memories of his childhood, growing up on
the California coast and in the rugged mountains of Colorado.
Born in Los Angeles, his family later moved to a small rustic
log cabin on eighty acres in the Colorado wilderness. His days
were spent exploring, fascinated by the variety of wildlife that
inhabited the remote area. It was here that his love of nature
and connection to his subjects began. Returning to California
as a young boy, he discovered an appreciation for the beautiful
California coastline and the sea life that inhabited the ocean
waters. Shortly after serving his country in the United States
Army, Mike and his wife Marlene moved to the Pacific Northwest
where they raised their son Jason and daughter Elaine. A tree-covered
mountainside in Northern Idaho, overlooking Lake Pend Oreille,
is now the location for the home and studio of this renowned sculptor.
The scenic area is a gathering spot for bald eagles and abundant
with wildlife, a perfect environment for an artist who is a master
sculptor of wildlife subjects.
Mike Curtis sculptures are available in sizes ranging from desk-size
to indoor/outdoor
life-size, and monumental-size
commissions. His selection of impressive Limited Edition Bronze
Wildlife Sculptures are collected worldwide and are ideal for
personal collections, individual gifts, and corporate presentations.
For over 30 years the studio of Mike Curtis has been shipping
fine art sculptures to collectors and corporations around the
world. All sculptures are expertly packed and shipped from the
artist's North Idaho studio via FedEx or UPS, to your home or
business.
For orders or additional information, you are
welcome to e-mail Mike Curtis at:
studio@mikecurtis.com
To order a Mike Curtis
sculpture
call: 1-208-263-8074
or fax: 1-208-263-1428
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