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Articles Tagged with: Sculpture artists

The Most Stop-Worthy Sculptures on Route 66

The famous Route 66 is not only a U.S. Highway but an icon of national history that continues to connect the old with the new. Beginning in Chicago, Illinois in 1926, Route 66 was built to connect mid-west America with the sunny beaches of the west coast.

The route guides travelers through some of the most remote regions of the U.S., including parts of Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally landing at a pier facing the ocean in Santa Monica, California.

Some consider this type of road trip to be a spiritual journey, while others make the trip along Route 66 as tourists, ready to experience all the old and new attractions that have emerged along the way.

Either way, along this stretch of 2,400 miles, there are some truly stop-worthy sculpture attractions that are a must-see!

Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas

Although this ranch is privately owned, it has attracted numerous tourists for its display of old, rustic Cadillacs painted and partially buried into the ground — tail lights facing the sky. This public art display is a strange outlier to the surrounding flat desert of the Texas panhandle. However, many adventurers are enticed to visit Cadilac Ranch as it has become a symbol of the roadside attractions of Route 66.

Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Arizona

A legendary stop featuring the best of public and functional art is what’s on display at the Wigwam Motel in Arizona. It is not only a must-see, but a must-stay, where travelers can rest inside a piece of art shaped and designed as a large, Native American wigwam. Feel transported into another time by this distinct architectural teepee design with the backdrop of natural scenery. The Route 66 journey is not complete without making this stop.

The Second World’s Largest Rocking Chair – Cuba, Missouri

Also known as the ‘Route 66 Red Rocker’, the average person standing next to this public art sculpture is barely tall enough to see past the curved parallel ends at the bottom. At one point it was documented in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest rocking chair in the world, but in 2015, it was dethroned by a new record located in Casey, Illinois.

Bottle Tree Ranch – Helendale, California

While it is not open to the public, this art display is visible from the road. Hundreds of glass bottles are used as branches on steel tree-like structures that have been collected along Route 66 and are now artfully repurposed.

Route 66 Rising – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Along this iconic stretch of highway, you’ll see “Route 66 Rising” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To honor the founder of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, Eric Garcia designed a stop-worthy sculpture inside a Tulsa roundabout, marking the intersection of route 66 with alternative paths. Its unique design shows the Route 66 sign rising up from the earth; communicating the hope it offered Oklahoma during the era of the dust bowl tragedy.

Overall, making the journey along Route 66 is sure to be filled with all types of interesting food stops, hotels, and artwork attractions. It is a unique trip that showcases timeless historical treasures along with commemorative storytelling.

EG Structural Supports Better Diversity in the Arts

At EG Structural we have a passion for creating projects that inspire. We create timeless public art projects that embody the spirit of our clients and their community. Whether they’re a corporate entity or a municipality, we see what makes them special and design sculpture pieces that highlight their exceptionality.

If your organization is looking for a private commission sculpture piece or if you have questions about being more involved in public art, contact EG Structural today!

Eric Garcia, EG Structural Founder and Artist with his tulsa route 66 sign piece sculpture artists

Inspirations: How Life and Sculpture Artists Inspire EG Structural

The foundation of every large-scale art project is the desire to tell a story. Much like public art itself, sculpture artists have a unique story of their own. Eric Garcia, EG Structural’s founder, and artist, has a strong passion for the arts and elevates every private commission piece to the next level. But, where did the passion begin and what is driving him today?

EG Structural constructs public art installations that invoke a response. We capture the unique qualities of a community and memorialize them through fine art. Read our blog post below to learn about Eric’s journey and what led him to start EG.

It Started in New Mexico…

Eric Garcia was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico surrounded by beauty. From the mountains and foliage that encompass the town to the incredible amount of art; there was always something that caught his eye. There’s a reason why artists like Andrew Dansburg, Randall Davey, Will Shuster, and most famously, Georgia O’Keefe; called Santa Fe home. The city as we know it owes its identity to the creative minds that helped shape its community and continue to influence the artistic passions of its residents.

Naturally, Eric’s passion for art started with a love for the craft and how it empowers an emotional response from its viewer. He started as a fine artist who focused on painting and sketching but turned his attention to sculpting after seeing/meeting a variety of Santa Fe sculpture artists. Shortly after he started designing small-scale pieces that incorporated bronze and plaster.

Allan Houser Demanded Attention Through Minimalist Designs

One of the many sculpture artists that inspired Eric was Allan Houser, an acclaimed sculptor whose work is featured in museums, private, and corporate collections around the world. He is one of the most renowned Native American and Modernist sculptors of the 20th century.

Eric explained, “I am amazed to this day about how simple his sculpture pieces were, and how they still hold a powerful message in their design. He took minimalistic styling to a whole new level and it just really resonated with me,” he continues, “he was a huge part of why I got into sculpting.”

Michael Naranjo Doesn’t Just Create Art, He Creates an Experience

Another sculpture artist that has influenced Eric tremendously is the Native American sculptor, Michael Naranjo. Raised in Taos, New Mexico; Michael was surrounded by art and was drawn to it naturally through his mother. He would eventually lose his sight during combat in the Vietnam War, but it did not stop his love for creating art.

Naranjo once said, “Being blind makes the pace of life slower; you can’t walk fast or grab things quickly. Life is more gentle and soft and the change brought my creative energies out.” This mindset is not only seen in his sculpture pieces but it is also felt. Viewers are strongly encouraged to interact with his art by closing their eyes and simply feeling it as if they were in Naranjo’s shoes.

Virgil Ortiz: A Childhood Friend and Impressive Inspiration

Virgil Ortiz is a jack of all trades. A sculptor, a potter, fine artist, and fashion designer; but to Eric, he’s a good friend. Virgil’s style is heavily influenced by traditional Native American patterns and aesthetics while incorporating intricate freeform designs that make his work truly stand out.

“When you see one of Virgil’s pieces, you instantly know it’s one of his. His style is truly unique and he has such a way of bringing his thoughts and ideas to life with abstract designs.” Eric explains further, “it’s something as an artist we strive for and I am so proud to see Virgil achieve what he has.”

EG Structural Are Creative Sculpture Artists That Empower Communities

For over 25 years, EG Structural has been on a mission to create private commission work that evokes a response from community members. Whether we’re developing creative wayfinding designs or large-scale sculpture pieces, we always look for ways to shine a light on our clients’ identities. Contact us today to learn how we can highlight your unique background.