Local sculptor Rhonda Vickers stands by her bronze of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, commissioned by the University of Colorado.

Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West

“I believe you are born with it, but you have to learn and work at it,” said sculptor and Castle Pines Village resident Rhonda Vickers with a smile, remarking on artistic ability.

Vickers’ studio and home are filled with her colorful paintings, wall murals, metal and glass cocktail tables, unique cabinet hardware, hand-painted upholstered chairs, and nationally-recognized bronzes. Each piece has its own lovely story of origin and significance, which collectively demonstrate Vickers’ ongoing creative spirit.

From Young Artist to Adult Sculptor

Vickers loved drawing and painting as a child, and was encouraged by family and teachers in her artistic pursuits. She majored in fine arts in college, worked to improve her artwork, but was uneasy with the results. Vickers jokes about her college experience, “I was an artist – how come they didn’t know it?” Vickers would have to wait several years before she would know the answer.

As a married mother of two, Vickers’ life changed when she accepted an invitation from her sister-in-law to join her in a sculpting class at the Art Institute in Wichita, Kansas. It was then that Vickers discovered that clay was the medium for her.

The First Commission and Beyond

After moving to Denver in 1984, Vickers’ husband, Tommy, encouraged her to continue pursuing sculpting. He surprised her by having one of her clay sculptures bronzed. The sculpture was of a buxom woman holding two large jugs, titled “Prized Jugs.” Her husband’s gesture dramatically redirected Vickers, showing her how to take her clay sculptures to a whole new level.

Vickers continued making bronzes, taking occasional classes at the Scottsdale Art School, becoming more skilled and refined in her work. Interest in the local sculptor began to grow in the community. The Castle Pines Golf Club asked Vickers to sculpt 12 busts of the club’s founders, including Jack Nicklaus. Vickers accepted, creating one bust per month until all 12 were completed one year later.

Choosing Subjects

Vickers has no favorites when it comes to subjects for her bronzes. “People, animals – it’s all fun,” says Vickers. Some of the pieces are the result of her wry sense of humor and whimsical flair, like “Swine Lake,” a pig ballerina, and “Dirty Habit,” a nun doing her laundry in a washtub. Vickers sculpts more serious pieces, such as children or pets, for private collectors, and many of her fine bronzes have been commissioned for the University of Colorado, The Broadmoor Hotel, golfer Arnold Palmer, even Mikhail Gorbachev.

Current Exhibit at Local Gallery

Several of Vickers’ limited edition bronzes are on exhibit and available for sale at the new Courtyard Gallery, located at 333-A Perry Street in Castle Rock. For gallery information, please contact Diana Barajon Cole at 303-658-0486. For information about Vickers’ bronze collection, please contact her at 303-660-1988 or www.Rhondavickers.com.

Sculptor Rhonda Vickers poses with her bronze “Chimpies.”