Great Blue Heron
By Hollis Willford, Installed 1989
Born into a farming family in north central Texas in 1940, Williford began sculpting on 10-cent bars of Ivory soap while growing up. He later studied at the University of Texas at Arlington, North Texas State University, and the Art Center College of Art & Design in Los Angeles, CA. Though Hollis worked in pencil, oils, watercolors, and etchings, he was best known for his bronze sculptures.
In 1980, Williford won the National Academy of Western Art’s gold medal and its Prix de West Purchase Award. He won two more gold medals in 1986 for his sculpture and drawing of an Eskimo pursuing a caribou herd by kayak. His list of artistic achievements is long and impressive; but it is the depth of the artist and the love shown for his subjects that leaves a continuing impression.
