Jake Balcom is a self-taught metal artist in Kansas City specializing in public sculptures. His work can be found in a number of municipalities, commercial developments, and private collections. This was Jake’s second residency at Buffalo Creek Art Center. He made several metal sculptures for the Reno International Art Show and three beautiful stainless-steel sculptures at the entrance to the BCAC ranch house.
– Jake Balcom
“BCAC is set in a beautiful and peaceful mountain valley setting which fueled creativity and allowed me to really focus on the sculpture. When issues popped up, it was easy to clear my head by walking through the sculpture park and trails throughout the property. After 20 years of putting materials, tools, and supplies in the same spot every day at my studio, I was apprehensive of trying to build a large sculpture in an unfamiliar shop, but although it was very different from mine, the shop was large, well lit, and well stocked. After it was all said and done, I feel that being out of my comfort zone there forced me to explore and learn new solutions to common design and fabrication hurdles. The aspect of the residency that I feel benefited my art journey the most however, were the other artists at the residency, including the host Steve Hardy. Daily conversations with these extremely talented artists from many different disciplines were life changing. Learning about their backgrounds, processes, techniques, approach to business and sales, other residencies, etc. was eye opening and I have so many notes from these conversations to follow up on. The friendships and professional connections I made there will last a lifetime. Without a doubt, this was one of the best things I’ve ever done and I want to give a big Thank You to the team at BCAC who make journeys like this possible!”