Sculptor hosts one-day show in Sandpoint

Former Sandpoint resident and nationally known sculptor Austin Casson will host a one-man show for one night on Saturday, September 7.

The show is sponsored by the Pend Oreille Arts Council and will take place on September 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Little Theater of the Panida Theater, 302 N. First Ave. Twenty percent of all proceeds from the event will benefit the POAC.

Casson, the first director of the Central Business Association and later marketing director of Sun Ice Skiwear in the 1980s, moved south to start Fairway Replicas, a company with which he began his career as a sculptor in 1990.

“To be honest, I didn't realise I was a sculptor until I had to create these miniatures. I found out I had the talent and off I went,” Casson recalls. His work with Fairway Replicas, creating miniature replicas of famous golf holes, took him all over the world. These replicas became popular golf gifts and tee prizes for some of the most famous golf courses.

Five of Casson's large golf sculptures were selected for permanent display at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida. Later, his artistic focus expanded to include birds of prey, horses and wildlife. One of his bronze eagles was presented to President George H.W. Bush by Howie Long. In addition, Casson was commissioned to sculpt a mare and foal in bronze for the permanent Breeders' Cup display at the California Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.

Casson's artistic contributions are not limited to golf and animal sculptures. The city of Temecula, California, where he now lives, commissioned him to design and build a 22-foot-tall memorial entitled “No Fallen Heroes,” which has become a focal point of veterans' memorial ceremonies in the area.

Recently, Casson created a sculpture reflecting his feelings about the war in Ukraine. This piece garnered national attention and was selected for display at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Casson donated the piece, titled “Forever Free,” to be sold to support the cause.

For the past 18 years, Casson has been involved with the Nature Education Foundation, a nature education program for children in Murrieta, California, and has raised over $50,000 through the sale of his donated works.

In 2008, Casson began creating his sculptures from forged steel, using primarily fire, hammer and anvil.

“I look forward to sharing my work with all my old friends and enthusiasts in Sandpoint who have been so supportive and encouraging of me over the past 35 years,” said Casson. “This place always has my heart and I look forward to seeing you at the show.”

Information: online, austincasson.com; by phone, 951-316-4294; or by email, [email protected]