About Edd Hayes Bronze Sculptor of Fine Bronze Sculpture

Art came calling on me three different times in my life. The first time as a youth of around ten, I got into doing some drawing, encouraged by my Mother, though soon losing interest. The second time I was about twenty-five and got about a third of the way through the ”Famous Artists” correspondence course. The third and last time was in 1977. While standing in front of a Charlie Russell painting in a museum in Oklahoma, I felt an imaginary tap on my shoulder and heard someone whisper, “It’s time”.....I knew, this time... I had no choice.”........... Edd Hayes

Edd began painting, first as a hobby, but soon was showing his paintings at some prestigious art shows around the country. At this point in his life, this native Texan had already seen experience as a journeyman carpenter, steel worker, oilfield welder, professional cowboy and as a corporate salesman. All of the skills he learned and used in these former professions were about to be used in his next profession...that of a bronze sculptor. In 1981 with no formal training, through trial and error, Edd created his first small sculpture, a small figurative bronze. A limited edition of 15 sold out almost immediately.

In 1989, Hayes was commissioned to create his first monument, a 27 ft. tall bronze, of Rodeo Superstar Casey Tibbs on the famous bronc, Necktie, titled, “The Champ”. This monument became the center piece and official logo of The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Today there are eleven Edd Hayes bronzes in their permanent collection and two more outdoor monuments at this great museum.

In 1992, for the 60th Anniversary of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Hayes created “Wild and Free”, originally installed at the entrance to the Astroarena. In 2003, this monumental sculpture was relocated to its new home next to Reliant Stadium. The six, 1 ½ life-size, mustangs, are in a setting of waterfalls along with native Texas stone, plants and grasses.

Hayes is now sought after for his excellence in creating outdoor public monuments; some of these include; “The Struggle - Man and Energy”, a 16 ft. tall Pegasus, at Energy Plaza in Houston. Under a 300 year old live oak at The George Ranch Historical Park and Museum, a bench with life-size bronzes of “Albert and Mamie George” invite people visiting the museum to sit a while and enjoy; In 2003, a life-size bronze of an “Aggie Redpot”, “Aggie Spirit, The Tradition Lives”, was installed in College Station, Texas; A 15 ft. tall WW II Monument, “A Call to Duty” was dedicated on Veteran’s Day 2006 and is Texas’ first monument dedicated solely to WW II Veterans; Two different life-size firefighter bronze sculptures, “In the Line of Fire”, for the Houston Fire Museum in Houston and “A Breath of Valor” for a Firefighter Memorial in Baytown are set to be dedicated in the spring of 2007.

Baylor University Law School recently commissioned Hayes to create in bronze a life-size figure of legendary former Baylor Law Professor and lawyer, Matt “Mad Dog” Dawson. The bronze maquette will be used as a trophy to top aspiring young law students.

Other bronze sculpture by Hayes can be found in the permanent collections of major museums in California, Colorado, South Dakota, Texas and even Russia along with corporate collections all over the world. Two different Hayes bronzes, “Wild and Free” and “Defiance” that were in the first 'Bush' White House are now in The George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Hayes' donated works of art have raised money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Sunshine Kids, and various other children's charities around the country. Hayes was the only artist asked to exhibit his bronze sculpture at The Economic Summit in Houston, where he personally signed and gave away over a hundred prints to dignitaries from all over the world.

Hayes is a member with the rank of Major in The Former Texas Rangers Foundation. He has served as a Judge, Steering Judge and Vice Chairman of Judges for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program. He is a member of The National Sculpture Society.

In 1999 Hayes was recognized and honored by his home state when The Texas State Senate and 76th Legislature named Edd Hayes as Official Texas State Sculptor.