Guy Bellaver
Did you study to be a sculptor?
Answer – Yes and No. I was always interested in art, but never really pursued it. After a tour of duty in the Army, I earned my B.A. in Economics from Saint Vincent College. I worked as a sales rep for Xerox, but ultimately decided that if I was ever going to become a sculptor, I needed to do that full time. So I quit, moved back home, and started sculpting. My first sculpture was a piece that I carved out of a pear tree that I helped my dad cut down. I was really pleased with that piece (Torso – see below), but realized how much I didn’t know about the art of sculpting. So I took some classes at CMU and Pitt and started creating. Got a booth at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and did some demonstrating for them. Was accepted into the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Got married and moved to Dallas (my wife was transferred there) and had the cool opportunity to work in James Searles’ studio – not with him, but visualizing how sculpting could be a career.
What kind of work do you do and where can we see it?
My work spans many media, including metal, stone, and wood, and mixed media (including stainless steel/glass, and steel/fiberglass). I work in both abstract and representational formats. In addition to over 30 pieces of public art, my work is in private collections around the country and in Europe.
Have you had any experience with public art?
I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege to do a number of pieces of public art – or, in some cases, privately owned art that is in public places. My public art projects include both representational and non- representational work. In addition to over 30 pieces of public art, my work is in private collections around the country and in Europe.
Do you get involved in public art projects beyond simply creating the artwork?
Five of my public art projects were commissioned for purposes and projects that honored specific groups and/or individuals, so we created websites for those – Ēkwabet, reflections, and The Key in St. Charles, IL, Kane County Veterans Memorial in Geneva, IL and 1970 at W & J College in Washington, PA.
Answer – Yes and No. I was always interested in art, but never really pursued it. After a tour of duty in the Army, I earned my B.A. in Economics from Saint Vincent College. I worked as a sales rep for Xerox, but ultimately decided that if I was ever going to become a sculptor, I needed to do that full time. So I quit, moved back home, and started sculpting. My first sculpture was a piece that I carved out of a pear tree that I helped my dad cut down. I was really pleased with that piece (Torso – see below), but realized how much I didn’t know about the art of sculpting. So I took some classes at CMU and Pitt and started creating. Got a booth at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and did some demonstrating for them. Was accepted into the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Got married and moved to Dallas (my wife was transferred there) and had the cool opportunity to work in James Searles’ studio – not with him, but visualizing how sculpting could be a career.
What kind of work do you do and where can we see it?
My work spans many media, including metal, stone, and wood, and mixed media (including stainless steel/glass, and steel/fiberglass). I work in both abstract and representational formats. In addition to over 30 pieces of public art, my work is in private collections around the country and in Europe.
Have you had any experience with public art?
I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege to do a number of pieces of public art – or, in some cases, privately owned art that is in public places. My public art projects include both representational and non- representational work. In addition to over 30 pieces of public art, my work is in private collections around the country and in Europe.
Do you get involved in public art projects beyond simply creating the artwork?
Five of my public art projects were commissioned for purposes and projects that honored specific groups and/or individuals, so we created websites for those – Ēkwabet, reflections, and The Key in St. Charles, IL, Kane County Veterans Memorial in Geneva, IL and 1970 at W & J College in Washington, PA.
Biography
After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Mr. Bellaver earned a B.A. in Economics from Saint Vincent College. He has worked as a sculptor full time since 1975. He has pursued graduate studies in art at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and Northern Illinois University, as well as The School of the Art Institute in Chicago. He is a current member of the Pittsburgh Society of
Sculptors, Chicago Sculpture International and the International Sculpture Center, and a past member of Chicago Artist’s Coalition, Fox Valley Arts Council, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and Texas Society of Sculptors.
Mr. Bellaver is an inductee into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.
Sculpture/Guy J. Bellaver is a Verified Veteran Owned Small Business.
Sculptors, Chicago Sculpture International and the International Sculpture Center, and a past member of Chicago Artist’s Coalition, Fox Valley Arts Council, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and Texas Society of Sculptors.
Mr. Bellaver is an inductee into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.
Sculpture/Guy J. Bellaver is a Verified Veteran Owned Small Business.
Artist links
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Sculpture-project-specific sites:
Ēkwabet
reflections
The Gratitude Project (The Key)
Sculpture-project-specific sites:
Ēkwabet
reflections
The Gratitude Project (The Key)