Artist Biography & Facts

Jane DeDecker

Growing up on a farm 80 miles west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jane DeDecker had what she described as an ideal childhood.  Her art talents were apparent early from the time she drew figures on the sloped ceilings of her bedroom, and her mother, with some art training, encouraged her interest. In fact, her mother worked in her sculpting studio when Jane became established.

At age 10, she moved with her family to Loveland, Colorado, and she studied art at the University of Northern Colorado and then, leaving in her junior year, went to France to study tapestry.  Returning to Loveland, she met sculptor George Lundeen and became one of his studio assistants for 8 years.

She then began her own figure sculpting with many of her subjects being from childhood memories. Her first major piece was two boys on a bike, a sculpture that was placed in Loveland's Benson Park.  She married Kyle Dallabetta, an electrical engineer, who later opened a coffee shop in Loveland, and she works from her studio in a renovated barn.

Source:
Southwest Art, August, 1995

Jane DeDecker was born in 1961 in Marengo, Iowa.  She attended the University of Northern Colorado and went on to study anatomy.  Jane began taking classes in sculpting and she soon discovered her talent as well as her lifelong passion.  She is an artist who pours emotion into her work so that every piece she creates is a model of expression evoking strong feelings within the viewer.

AWARDS

2002 Bronze Medal and Pietro & Alfrieda Montana Memorial Prize, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
2001 Mrs. Louise Bennett Award. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
1999 Aggop Agopof Award. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
1997 Award of Excellence. Kimball Art Museum, Park City, UT
1997 Critics Choice Award. Kimball Art Museum, Park City, UT
1993 Mayors Purchase Award. Affair in the Gardens, Beverly Hills, CA
1992 Best of Show. Affair in the Gardens, Beverly, Hills, CA
1992 Merit Award. Arts Festival. Atlanta, GA

SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS

1986 - 01 Sculpture in the Park. Loveland, CO
1986 - 02 Colorado Governor's Art Show. Loveland, CO
1989 North American Sculpture Review. Golden, CO
1990 The Allied Artists of America, Inc. New York, NY
1990 Dreamers and Shapers. Intercombine Arts Performance. Loveland, CO
1990 - 91 Art Expo. New York, NY
1990 - 94 Peach Tree Art Show. Atlanta, GA
1990 - 95 Kimball Museum Arts Festival. Park City, UT
1989 - 95 Affair in the Garden. Beverly Hills, CA
1994 - 02 State Street Art Show. Ann Arbor, MI
1995 Women Artists and the West. Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
1996 Arts Festival in the Village. La Jolla, CA
1997 Kimball Arts Museum. Park City, UT
1998 Bruce Museum. Greenwich, CT
1999 Miniatures Show. Albuquerque, NM
1999 - 01 Annual Exhibit. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
2000 - 01 Annual Exhibit. National Sculpture Society, Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC
2002 Angels, Cupids, and Creatures of Winged Fantasy. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
2002 Annual Exhibit, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY and Brookgreen Gardens Murrells Inlet, SC
2002 Remembering 911, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
2003 Changing the American Landscape Though Sculpture, University of Indiana

COMMISSIONS & PLACEMENTS

2003
MENTOR University of Mississippi

2002
CAN CAN Brookgreen Gardens, Murells Inlet, SC
FAMILY TREE Private collection, Beaver Creek, CO

2000 - 01
EARS OF JOY City of Ames, IA
NEW HEIGHTS Trammell Crow, St. Louis, MO
MAJOR COLLECTION City of Texas City, TX

1999
SWINGING Mr. & Mrs Storr, Vail, CO
ANGLERS The Club at Cordillera, Edwards, CO
ANGLERS Audubon Society, New Orleans, LA

1998
HARRIET TUBMAN Brenau University, Gainsville, GA
A WORLD TO TEACH Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
MAJOR COLLECTION Rochester Public Library, Rochester, MI

1997
LONDON BRIDGE American Foods Headquarters, Salt Lake City, UT

1996
SHARING DISCOVERIES Mayo Clinic, St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN

1995
SNAPSHOT & City of Oxnard, Oxnard, CA JUNGLE GYM
HARRIET TUBMAN Las Sendas, Mesa, AZ
UNSTEADY STEADINESS City of Glendale, Glendale, AZ
SHORTCUT Public placement, Chandler, AZ

1994
HEARTLAND STORY Fort Lupton Public Library, Fort Lupton, CO
JUNGLE GYM City of Lakewood, Lakewood, CO
SHORTCUT Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Hammond, Loveland, CO
RAPUNZEL Dr. Brandi Roth & Bruce Clements, Beverly Hills, CA

1993
MOTHER'S PEARL Private collector, Madison, WI
JUNGLE GYM Casey's General Store Corporate Headquarters, Ankney, IA

1992
SNAPSHOT Michael Jackson, Los Angeles, CA
ALBERT GALLATIN United States National Parks Service, Friendship Hill, PA
THE LITTLE READER Carden Academy, Park City, UT
ACE Mr. Steve Buckner, Loveland, CO

1991
OVER THERE For President Bush, Committee for the Handicap,
Presidential Library, Washington DC
COOL-HAND LUKE Mr. & Mrs. Alan Fox, Denver, CO

1990
SECRETS Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Weiner, Houston, TX
OVERDUE The Eads Family, Loveland Public Library, Loveland, CO

1989
GARDNER Mr. Henry Lesser, Los Angeles, CA
UNSTEADY STEADINESS High Plains Arts Council, Benson Park, Loveland, CO
HUMAN STRUCTURE United Way Foundation, Fort Collins, CO

1987
AFTER THE PARADE Runner-up for the Loveland Civic Center, Loveland, CO
---------------
RESUME: EDUCATION, APPRENTICESHIPS, & PERSONAL
Extensive traveling to Italy, Greece, France and throughout the US

1995 - INFINITE Mother

1995 Taught a figurative sculpture course at the Denver Arts Students League. Denver, CO

1994 Taught a sculpture course for young teens at the Loveland Arts Academy, Loveland, CO

1998 - PRESENT Member of the National Sculpture Society, New York, NY

1988 - PRESENT Self employed sculptor.

1988 - 89 Battle Mountain Bronze. Minturn, CO. With Robert Zimmerman, foundry owner, I assisted in the training of new apprentices and assisted in the production of monuments byTerry Kelsey, Forrest Hart and Glenna Goodacre.

1987 Studied stone carving under Robert Game, Canadian Sculptor.

1982 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Deer Isle, Maine.

1983 Gobelins School of Tapestry. Paris, France.

1984 Scottsdale Artists School. Jon Zahorek Anatomy Course. Scottsdale, AZ

1983 - 88 Employed at Lundeen Studios, Loveland, Colorado: George Lundeen, sculptor. The city of Loveland is a community filled with figurative sculptors. I apprentices with George Lundeen for five years, learning all the techniques of both clay and wax, the lost wax technique of bronze casting, molding, chasing and finishing the bronze material, patina and finish work. Within two years I was promoted to the position of master craftsman, whereupon I trained new apprentices and oversaw the production of nearly fifty life-size bronzes and two monuments. During my employment with Lundeen Studios, I assisted the following sculptors: Fritz White, Danny Ostermiller and Kent Ulberg.

1979 - 82 Attended the University of Northern Colorado. Greeley, CO

1961 Born in Marengo, Iowa, August 30, 1961

PUBLICATIONS / ARTICLES
European Homes & Gardens, title "Sculpture for the Stars" by Belinda Clark, March/April of 2003
Art of the West magazine, title "Fresh Frozen Art" by Vicki Stavig, Nov/Dec of 1998
Southwest Art magazine, title "Close to Home" by Gregg Piburn, August of 1995
Changing Woman magazine, title

CATALOG OF WORK
Since 1986: Over 230 sculptures. Limited edition bronzes
57 life-size sculptures. Limited edition bronzes.
2 one of a kind monuments, and 40 completed editions.

Jane DeDecker's energetic and dynamic bronze sculptures serve as a reflection of her own life experiences and those of her closely-knit family. Her twelve nieces and nephews are the primary source of her inspiration, though DeDecker's sculptures are not portraits. In fact, her loose style leaves her viewers with room for interpretation, so as to see their own lives within her sculptures. This imprecision, combined with her unique ability to capture specific moments to which each viewer can relate on a personal level, regardless of age, give DeDecker's work a timeless quality that spans generations.

DeDecker began her artistic training as a painter at the University of Northern Colorado, until a professor, noticing her joy in the portrayal of shapes and forms, suggested she try her hand at sculpture. Taking his advice, DeDecker went on to study at Gobelins School of Tapestry in Paris, and in returning to Colorado, spent five years as master craftsman to the notable bronze sculptor George Lundeen. DeDecker is a member of the National Sculpture Society and has gone on to receive copious awards, such as the Critics Choice Award from the Kimball Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX. Major installations of DeDecker's sculptures are located at the Presidential Library in Washington, DC; the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Benson Park, Loveland, Colorado; American Stores, Salt Lake City, Utah; Trammell Crow, St. Louis, Missouri and Clinton Library, Little Rock, Arkansas, among many others.

Education:
• University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO (1979-1982)
• Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Deer Isle, Maine (1982)
• Goblins School of Tapestry Paris, France (1983)
• Scottsdale Artists School, Jon Zahorek Anatomy Course Scottsdale, AZ (1984)
• Studied stone carving under Robert Game, Canadian Sculptor (1987)

Awards:
• C.Percival Dietsch Prize for Wind, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2008)
• Bronze Medal and Pietro & Alfrieda Montana Memorial Prize (2002)
• Mrs. Louise Bennett Award, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2001)
• Aggop Agopof Award. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (1999)
• Award of Excellence, Kimball Art Museum, Park City, UT (1997)
• Critics Choice Award, Kimball Art Museum, Park City, UT (1997)
• Mayors Purchase Award, Affair in the Gardens, Beverly Hills, CA (1993)
• Best of Show, Affair in the Gardens, Beverly, Hills, CA (1992)
• Merit Award, Arts Festival Atlanta, GA (1992)
• First Place in Sculpture Fall Show, Affair in the Garden, Beverly Hills, CA (1992)

Solo Exhibitions:
• One Point Gallery, Denver, CO (2004)

Exhibitions:
• Stallions, Ponies and Unicorns National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2004)
• Bill Clinton Presidential Center Library, Little Rock, AK (2004)
• Annual Exhibit, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2004-2005)
• Changing the American Landscape Though Sculpture, University of Indiana (2003)
• Angels, Cupids, and Creatures of Winged Fantasy, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2002)
• Annual Exhibit, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY and Brookgreen Gardens Murrells Inlet, SC (2002)
• Remembering 911, National Sculpture Society, New York, NY (2002)
• Annual Exhibit. National Sculpture Society, Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC (2000-2001)
• Miniatures Show, Albuquerque, NM (1999)
• Annual Exhibit. National Sculpture Society, New York, NY(1999-2000)
• Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT (1998)
• Kimball Arts Museum, Park City, UT (1997)
• Arts Festival in the Village, La Jolla, CA (1996)
• Women Artists and the West, Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ (1995)
• State Street Art Show, Ann Arbor, MI (1994-2004)
• The Allied Artists of America, Inc., New York, NY (1990)
• Dreamers and Shapers, Intercombine Arts Performance, Loveland, CO (1990)
• Art Expo, New York, NY (1990-1991)
• Peach Tree Art Show, Atlanta, GA (1990-1994)
• Kimball Museum Arts Festival, Park City, UT (1990-1995)
• North American Sculpture Review, Golden, CO (1989)
• Affair in the Garden, Beverly Hills, CA (1989-1995)
• Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO (1986-2001)
• Colorado Governor's Art Show, Loveland, CO (1986-2002)

Memberships:
• National Sculptors' Guild (1994-Present)
• National Sculpture Society (1998-Present)

Teaching:
• Battle Mountain Bronze, Minturn, CO, Assisted in Training New Apprentices; Monument Production for Terry Kelsey, Forrest Hart, Glenna Goodacre (1988-1989)

Apprenticeships:
• Lundeen Studios, Loveland, Colorado; George Lundeen, sculptor. (1983 -1988)
o The city of Loveland is a community filled with figurative sculptors. "I apprenticed with George Lundeen for five years, learning all the techniques of both clay and wax, the lost wax technique of bronze casting, molding, chasing and finishing the bronze material, patina and finish work. Within two years I was promoted to the position of master craftsman, whereupon I trained new apprentices and oversaw the production of nearly fifty life-size bronzes and two monuments. During my employment with Lundeen Studios, I assisted the following sculptors: Fritz White, Danny Ostermiller and Kent Ulberg."
• Battle Mountain Bronze, Minturn, CO. (1988-1989)
o With Robert Zimmerman, foundry owner, "I assisted in the training of new apprentices and assisted in the production of monuments by Terry Kelsey, Forrest Hart and Glenna Goodacre."

Family is the focus of Jane DeDecker's life and her art, and childhood innocence is her predominant theme. Although her portfolio includes solitary adult figures, more typical DeDecker subjects include a group of kids playing on monkey bars, two boys pushing off on a bike and a trio of girls huddled under an umbrella. Jane and her six sisters grew up sharing a bedroom in a converted farmhouse attic.  The family did not have a lot of money, but they had plenty of love, and that love is reflected in all of Jane's pieces.

A key element of DeDecker's storytelling is her loose style. "Some people call my work unfinished because it is more rough than smooth," she says. "I don't want the surface of my figures to seem mechanical or static. A loose, more fragmented and open surface gives a figure greater energy." DeDecker's style also leaves room for interpretation. "The finished piece isn't the end," she says. "The sculpture lives beyond me, my studio and the foundry. I want viewers to see themselves and their lives in my sculptures. I want to remind people that what is important is themselves. I like to bring a peace to life. Sometimes figures can be too static and formed, but through the rhythm of my work, I can make a piece more informal." No wonder DeDecker seems to be in perpetual good humor, she is doing what she loves with people she loves.

EDUCATION, APPRENTICESHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS
Continual Extensive traveling to Italy, Greece, France and throughout the US
2007 Fellowship at National Sculpture Society
1995 - INFINITE Mother of 4
1995 Taught a figurative sculpture course at the Denver Arts Students League. Denver, CO
1994 Taught a sculpture course for young teens at the Loveland Arts Academy, Loveland, CO
1998 - PRESENT Member of the National Sculpture Society, New York, NY
1988 - PRESENT Self employed sculptor.
1988 - 89 Battle Mountain Bronze. Minturn, CO. With Robert Zimmerman, foundry owner,
1987 Studied stone carving under Robert Game, Canadian Sculptor.
1982 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Deer Isle, Maine.
1983 Goblins School of Tapestry. Paris, France.
1984 Scottsdale Artists School. Jon Zahorek Anatomy Course. Scottsdale, AZ
1983 - 88 Employed at Lundeen Studios, Loveland, Colorado: George Lundeen, sculptor.
1979 - 82 Attended the University of Northern Colorado. Greeley, CO
1961 Born in Marengo, Iowa, August 30, 1961

Jane DeDecker originally began her artistic journey as a painter.  While she was attending the University of Northern Colorado, a professor noticed that DeDecker took special interest in shapes and forms and recommended that she try her hand at sculpture. Finding that she enjoyed the medium, DeDecker went on to study at the Gobelins School of Tapestry in Paris and upon her return to Colorado, she spent five years as master craftsman to the renowned bronze sculptor George Lundeen.

DeDecker's bronzes are energetic and full of life.  Many of her pieces depict families, especially children, and DeDecker has no trouble finding willing models.  She is one of ten children, and has twelve nieces and nephews who have all made an appearances in her work.

DeDecker is a member of The National Sculpture Society and is a recipient of the Critics Choice Award from the Kimball Art Museum.

Her works can be found in public and private collections including the Presidential Library in Washington D.C.; the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Benson Park in Loveland, Colorado; and the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Today Jane DeDecker is living and working in Colorado with her husband and children.