The National Sculpture Society is pleased to present Melting Pot: The Diverse Culture of the Americas. The exhibition features the work of 16 members of the Society and will be on view from February 21 through April 28 at the NSS Gallery in midtown Manhattan.

The works included in Melting Pot  portray the diversity of cultures – indigenous and introduced – that are at home in the Western Hemisphere (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean). The sculptures on display feature the people and animals found in these regions, and equally represent the different styles, backgrounds and disciplines of NSS members.

Fellows (FNSS), Elected Members (NSS), and Associates comprise the levels of membership of the organization which is international in scope and appeal. National Sculpture Society is a not-for-profit organization which supports excellence in sculpture through various educational programs including scholarships and grants for emerging artists.

The Jury of Selection plays an important part in shaping and balancing an exhibition and each jury is comprised of two sculptors (one NSS member and one non-NSS member) and one curator. For Melting Pot, the Jury of Selection included Kirsten Kokkin, FNSS; Katherine Schwab, Ph.D., Professor of Art History & Visual Culture Department of Visual and Performing Arts Director, Program in Classical Studies Curator, Fairfield University Plaster Cast Collection; and Basil Watson, NSS

NSS Fellow Richard MacDonald created a bust of a Cuban dancer, Carlos Acosta, of London’s Royal Ballet. “Carlos was an interesting character to me, in that he’s from Cuba and went to Houston, TX to dance for the Houston Ballet when he was just starting out. At that time, he told me that while in Cuba, he never slept in a bed,” begins MacDonald. “This young man from Havana was now beginning his ballet career and went from Houston to the Royal Ballet in London quickly. At that time, he spoke no English whatsoever; yet later, he wrote a book about his life and journeys titled ‘No Way Home’ ”

California sculptor, Manuelita Brown hopes with her bronze portrait, America’s Son, that the viewer realizes we are all a part of one human family.  “Too often, a person subconsciously views another with suspicion or fear based on skin color, faith or language,” states Brown. “America’s Son testifies to our common history. In his flesh is the rape by the European slave master, the mating with Native Americans, and the heritage from generations of African ancestors. It is in keeping the hope, vision, imagination, and expectation of greatness reflected in the face of America’s son, his brothers, and sisters, that the survival of America rests.”

National Sculpture Society was founded in New York City in 1893 by a group of America’s most prominent sculptors. Its members have created much of this country’s public sculpture, coins, and medals since the late 1800s. It is the oldest organization of professional sculptors in the United States and has been hosting exhibitions for over a century. Fellows (FNSS), Elected Members (NSS), and Associates designate the types of sculptor membership in the organization, which is international in scope and appeal. National Sculpture Society is dedicated to promoting excellence in sculpture that is inspired by nature.