Sculptor's fetish for metal goes avian

Heather Wright
Special to the Hornet
Published December 6, 1999

Metal sculpture isn’t just for the birds. In this case, it’s of the birds.

It’s the kind of art that is created when you combine a love of nature and a love of working with metal. And these aren’t just any birds, these birds have character.

Steve Hamilton is the artist behind the metal sculptures on exhibit in the University Union Exhibit Lounge through Dec. 16.

Hamilton got interested in working with metal as art when he was only 13 years old. At that time he worked in a radiator shop and his boss let him play, or "create" as Hamilton likes to call it, with the equipment and scrap materials. Years later, Hamilton became a high school teacher of metal fabrication. His job afforded him the materials, equipment and free time to pursue his art. He still teaches today, and doesn’t plan to retire for a couple more years.

After retirement, he says he would like to spend his time on sculpture and travel.

Hamilton remembers the first piece he did in 1966, an owl he gave to his in-laws as a Christmas present. That owl would someday pave the way to becoming a best-selling artist at the annual Saratoga Rotary Show, the biggest show Hamilton participates in.

The next Rotary Show is five months away, and that means that he is going to be one busy man until then. It usually takes him three to five months to prepare for the show, where he will exhibit 75-100 pieces.

His average yearly production averages 200 pieces per year.

Hamilton has plans to reproduce some of his earlier pieces in order to preserve his art within his family. He also has some bigger projects planned – much bigger.

Plans are in the works to create a giant grasshopper with a life-size saddle strapped to its back, as well as a life-size giraffe.

The most difficult sculpture Hamilton has created to date is a duck made of 52 pieces of metal (his average piece is constructed with 10.)

Although Hamilton may be a local artist, his work has crossed state lines. Currently, his pieces can be seen mounted on pilings in Port Angeles, Wash.

He also plans to have a giant eagle made of stainless steel placed in the port in July.

Between teaching and his art, Hamilton manages to find the time to be a family man. He and his wife have been married for 34 years and have four children, ages 19-32, along with four grandchildren.

He likes to keep art in the family

"I want my grand kids to have access to my materials. I have a very extensive workshop that’s all my own. As the kids get older, they’ll get their hands dirty, start making birdhouses and other small things," says Hamilton.

Hamilton loves his work; you can hear it in his voice and you can see it in his art.

"The ideas spawn more ideas. I can’t start a piece I’ve got in mind without coming up with something else before I’m done," he laughs.

The University Union Exhibit Lounge is open weekdays 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5-8 p.m. on Wed. and Thurs.