Steve Grater is a Tucson, Arizona-based sculptor specializing in dynamic abstract metal sculptures that evoke organic forms. He began his artistic journey in the early 1990s, studying blacksmithing under Frank Turley in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and bronze casting with Tom Barringer at Pima Community College in Tucson. Steve further honed his skills by assisting sculptor Jerry Harris at The Village Blacksmith in Tucson. “Odyssey” is the stainless steel sculpture Steve made for BCAC, which is his largest to date.
“I met Steve Hardy in September 2023 during my first time as an exhibiting artist at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show (RTIA Show), where he had a booth showcasing his wooden sculptures and the work of artists in residence at Buffalo Creek Art Center. I already knew about the BCAC residency and sculpture park. I thought it would be cool to make something huge for such an impressive place. After RTIA, Steve started following me on Instagram @stevegratersculpture. I was thrilled when he contacted me in March 2024 to offer me a spot that suddenly opened up for the month of August. I had just been juried into the Sculpture in the Park show in Loveland, Colorado for August 9 to 11, and I had a busy summer of other sculpture shows planned, but I was super motivated by this chance to make a monumental sculpture for BCAC. Steve agreed with my plan to start my residency on August 1 so I could work for a week, go to Loveland, come back to BCAC and finish up the first week in September. Unfortunately, I came down with COVID right after I got back from Loveland and had to isolate myself in my room at the ranch house for a week before I could get back to work. I expected to complete my sculpture in time to do the RTIA Show again and go home to Tucson, but I had never made a 17-foot-tall hollow-form stainless steel sculpture before. My usual painstaking process was taking so long at this large scale that I now had to juggle this incredible creative experience with a previous commitment to the MoabArtTrails sculpture walk in Utah which required me to drive back to Tucson to pick up and deliver that sculpture to Moab. It was early October by the time I got back to BCAC to finish my “Odyssey” (hence the name of the sculpture) before the end of the season. Steve and his team were so accommodating throughout my whole process. The installation went smoothly and I love the placement. A wonderful aspect of this residency was getting to know the other artists. Our shared experience enhanced my skills and understanding of other disciplines, and I like to think that I imparted some of that back to them. I would tell artists who ask me about this experience that it is an awesome opportunity with great people in a beautiful setting. All of the facilities are top-notch. I really appreciated my time at BCAC.”
– Steve Grater