Sculptor John Bennett makes the the Lone Star state shine in Fredericksburg
By Ken Esten Cooke
Artist John Bennett captures Texas icons like few others. And for that, he is Fredericksburg’s lone Texas State Artist since 2010.
Bennett, who began sculpting in 1976, was designated Texas State Artist by the 81st Legislature. Since that time he has created amazing works of art that reflect the spirit of the Lone Star State.
“I am deeply attracted to the beauty of people and their performance in life,” Bennett said. “I see romance in line and strength, balance and movement, and that’s what I pursue in my work.
“I strive for essentials, but enhance emotion and hope the finished piece can project its own soul, beyond just an image frozen in space and time.”
Amazingly, Bennett has never had an art lesson or a mentor, and he’s taken only two art workshops in his life. He is self-taught and his talents took him to the pinnacle of the state art world.
In honoring Bennett with the title, the 2009 Joint Resolution passed by lawmakers included, “… acclaimed for his sculptures of women, John has created works depicting women from all walks of life, from Old West legend Annie Oakley to 98-year-old Alice Reeves, a former schoolteacher and granddaughter of a slave; one of his pieces was selected by the Women’s Museum for display at the White House in 1999.”
Bennett says he has slowed down a bit, scaling back on traveling and art show exhibits, but he still works daily in his studio. His sculpture subjects have morphed from the cowboys into more contemporary sculptures, inspired by a trip to Italy. That culminated with his “Ange des Enfants” (Angel of Infants) in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Bennett opened Agave Gallery on East San Antonio Street in 2006 and he and wife Cathy kept it open for a decade. He had a distinctive 1952 Ford with his logo painted on it that made for a focal point. At the time, he was the only retail art gallery in that section of town.
A more recent project was creating bronze sculptures for the “Main Street Mockingbirds” project in cooperation with author Amy Beicker, who launched the nine-statue and story project in conjunction with Fredericksburg’s 175th anniversary of its founding.
Today, his works can be found at Charles Morin Gallery, 244 West Main Street, which features other iconic Texas art. (Users can get a history lesson from Morin on major Texas artists through the years in many mediums, along with their influences.)
“He does have a unique style with his bronzes, they have unique creamy finishes. After it’s cast, the finish is painted on and they use a blowtorch to flatten it — almost like a powder coat,” said Marcy O’Connor, gallery assistant at Charles Morin Gallery. “He has traditional cowboys, but the women subjects and how he captures motion in the sculptures are just amazing. Plus, he’s just the nicest guy in the world.”
Softspoken and humble, but talented beyond words, Bennett’s aura is that of an old-school Texan whose work speaks for itself.