“Larry Isard's success as a representational animal sculptor is measured in one dimension by his knowledge of animal anatomy. On another axis, he is critiqued on the selection of the stories he tells in his sculptures. On the final axis are the merits of the skills in his hands. These three pillars of the animal sculptor’s trade — anatomy, story and hand skill — are only rarely in harmony to produce lasting art. Larry does not simply copy or reproduce nature; he observes and then edits his vision to find the artistic essence of the moment.” — Walter Matia, sculptor

Animal Expressions: Bronzes by Larry Isard

November 10, 2007, through March 23, 2008

Location: Fawick Gallery
Larry Isard is an internationally known wildlife sculptor whose long association with the Museum has made a difference on many levels. This exhibition is a retrospective of his work honoring his 60 years of involvement with the Museum and his 75th birthday. Isard’s love of nature and signature sense of humor shine through in over 50 bronze sculptures that range from fruit bats to black bears.

Larry Isard grew up in Cleveland Heights in a home with strong traditions of hunting and fishing. At an early age, he developed an interest in taxidermy and animal anatomy.

He began volunteering at the Museum as a teenager in 1947 and, in 1966, took a job as taxidermist and preparator in the Exhibits Division. Over the course of a decade, he created hundreds of animal mounts for the Museum’s galleries and educational programs.

Private classes with noted local sculptor Bill McVey sparked the start of Isard’s artistic career. Meanwhile, he moved into Museum management and served more than two decades as assistant director. After his retirement in 1997, he returned to work in the Exhibits Division as a part-time sculptor and taxidermist.

Isard has sculpted fruit bats, frogs, elephants, kingfishers, swimming otters and dozens of other animals. His work has been displayed at galleries and museums across the country and collected internationally. He has mentored a number of notable animal artists and influenced countless others.

Isard created the 7-inch bronze “Shenanigans” and another bear sculpture, “The Beggar,” in 1995 to commemorate the Museum’s 75th anniversary. He chose a pose for the sculpture that captured the character of the Grizzly Bear (or Brown Bear), an endangered species in the United States. As with his other works, “Shenanigans” blends Isard’s masterful knowledge of animal anatomy and behavior with his trademark sense of humor.