National Sculpture Society awards the 2023 Stanley Bleifeld Memorial Grant to Dave LaMure, Jr. The Grant is awarded to a sculptor with outstanding ability who has created a body of work inspired by nature which includes works of sculpture in bas-relief and in the round. Sculptors Blair Buswell (from UT), Heidi Wastweet (from CA), and Janice Mauro (from CT) served as this year’s jurors.

For Mauro, LaMure’s vessels stand out. She says, his “process of placement, form and patina is striking. The animals seem to move gracefully and effortlessly round his vessels. The ancient idea of a narrative vessel is uniquely presented in current terms. I find them profound and extremely imaginative.”

LaMure is an avid outdoorsman; much of his work is inspired by his experiences in the wild. His work is intended to stimulate awareness of the natural rhythms of life, death and belonging. He has exhibited at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson, WY); Cody High Style at The Buffalo Bill Museum (Cody, WY); Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (Great Falls, MT) and the Boise Art Museum (Boise, ID). The Briscoe Western Art Museum (San Antonio, TX) and Herrett’s Museum (Twin Falls, ID) have his work in their permanent collection. The city of Pagosa Springs, CO is home to LaMure’s monumental trout sculpture Native and his A Vision of Tomorrow graces the front of City Hall in Twin Falls, ID. A pair of red tail hawks called Vigilance was placed on the lake by the city of Fountain Hills, AZ. The Art of the West, Western Art & Architecture, Wildlife Art Magazine and Southwest Art are just a few of the publications featuring his work. He is an elected member of the Society of Animal Artists.

Stanley Bleifeld (1924-2011) was a sculptor, Fellow, and Member Emeritus of the National Sculpture Society and served as president from 1991-1994. The $5,000 grant was made possible through a generous donation from his widow, Naomi Bleifeld, and will be awarded annually in perpetuity.