Sculptor hosting one-night show in Sandpoint

Former Sandpoint resident and nationally recognized sculptor Austin Casson will host a one-man, one-night show Saturday, Sept. 7.

The show is sponsored by the Pend Oreille Arts Council and will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Panida Theater's Little Theater, 302 N. First Ave. Twenty percent of all sales from the event will benefit POAC.

Casson, who was the first director of the Central Business Association and later the marketing director for Sun Ice Skiwear in the 1980s, moved south to start Fairway Replicas, a venture that launched his sculpting career in 1990.

"I honestly didn't realize I was a sculptor until I had to create these miniatures. I found out I had the gift, and off we went," Casson recalls. His work with Fairway Replicas, producing miniature replicas of famous golf holes, took him around the world. These replicas became popular golf gifts and tee prizes for some of the best-known courses in the game.

Five of Casson's large golf sculptures were chosen for permanent display at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla. His artistic focus later expanded to include birds of prey, horses, and wildlife. One of his bronze eagles was presented to President George H.W. Bush by Howie Long. Additionally, Casson was commissioned to sculpt a mare and foal bronze for the permanent Breeders' Cup display at the California Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.

Casson's contributions to the arts are not limited to golf and wildlife sculptures. The city of Temecula, Calif., where he now resides, commissioned him to design and build a 22-foot-tall "No Fallen Heroes" memorial, which has become a focal point for veteran remembrance ceremonies in the area.

Recently, Casson created a sculpture reflecting his feelings about the war in Ukraine. This piece received national attention and was selected for display at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Casson donated the work, titled "Forever Free," to be sold in support of the cause.

For the past 18 years, Casson has been involved with The Nature Education Foundation, a children's nature education program in Murrieta, Calif., raising over $50,000 through the sale of his donated works.

In 2008, Casson began creating his sculptures in forged steel, using fire, a hammer, and anvil as his primary tools.

"I am looking forward to sharing my work with all my old friends and enthusiasts in Sandpoint who have been so supportive and encouraging over these last 35 years," Casson said. "This place always has my heart, and I look forward to seeing you at the show."

Information: online, austincasson.com; by phone, 951-316-4294; or email, austincasson@gmail.com