Nicole Beck is a professional sculptor and arts educator from Chicago with many permanent public art commissions. Her BCAC project “Tree of Life” honors the surrounding aspens with a plasma-cut cut leaf embedded with the outstretched arms of a female nude. The 8’ x 8’ stainless steel work quietly embraces the Sierra Nevada mountains and overlooks the valley at BCAC for now.

“This is the first artist’s residency that I have attended that devotes its facilities and mission solely to the work of professional sculptors. It was a pleasure to live and work alongside like-minded practitioners honing their craft, exploring new horizons and creating large-scale projects. Bill and Mel are gems with generous souls who not only keep Buffalo Creek running smoothly, but are available for any questions or needs, and who, incidentally, supplied us with exquisite bounty from their home grown garden and surrounding orchards. On the property, I was greeted by hawks, coyotes and quails. The grounds are lush and beautifully maintained. The views of the surrounding Sierra Nevadas are a constant joy and serene inspiration. We were given access to a shared truck to run our errands and was wonderful to get into nearby towns for supplies and respite. Owner Steve Hardy, himself a seasoned artist, has cultivated a roster of local suppliers that the sculptor is welcome to access.

I highly recommend this residency for sculptors who have the vision and desire to create a large-scale outdoor work but have never had the facilities or support to do so.”

– Nicole Beck