The National Sculpture Society is pleased to present The Dog & Pony Show. The exhibition features 22 works by 18 members of the Society and will be on view from April 28 – July 11, 2025 at the NSS Gallery in midtown Manhattan. Sculptures of canines and equines are featured in this lively show of the beloved beasts. From mutts and mongrels to purebreds and thoroughbreds, all the works on display capture the beauty, the energy, and the endless fascination humans have for these creatures. The sculptures on view 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. The 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 and one curator. For The Dog & Pony Show, the Jury of Selection included Alan Fausel, Curator, Museum of the Dog; Leslie Hutto, NSS; and Sandy Scott, FNSS.

Artists in the show are Jeffrey Briggs, NSS; Cyndi Brown; Emily Caito, NSS; Kathleen Friedenberg, FNSS; Daniel Glanz, NSS; Sandy Graves; George McMonigle, NSS; Liz Lewis; Walter Matia, FNSS; Gwen Marcus, FNSS; Diana McClaran; Mikhail Pertsev; Chris Riccardo, NSS; Ken Rowe, FNSS; Wayne Salge, NSS; Stephen Saxenian, NSS; Dorie Wardie; and Fan Yu, NSS.

Colorado artist Daniel Glanz captures the undeniable cuteness and sparkling vivaciousness of the Welsh Corgi in his sculpture, Wicked Smart.  “I’m always surprised with the herding dog breeds’ innate ability to work livestock and to solve problems as they do it. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does this very well and on short legs to boot! When the opportunity to sculpt a ½ life-size version of the corgi for a client arose, I dove into it headfirst. I wanted to show this sweet dog whose wheels are always turning try to work the next problem whether it’s moving sheep or getting dinner early.”

Chris Riccardo’s Double Dog and Pony Show draws upon a memory from the artist’s past while simultaneously making a statement about the political climate of today in a colorful and twisted ceramic piece. “The image of a tiny, often, annoying little dog riding upon a trained pony at local state fairs and carnivals always struck me as mindless entertainment, but for some reason has always stuck with me, which is why I chose to sculpt this new piece. It seems everywhere we look today there is some overly politicized event or press conference that screams ‘all show and no substance’, the proverbial ‘Dog & Pony Show.’”

For Emily Caito — who sculpts in a very stylized manner — she wanted to place her own spin on the historical drawings of a well-known Renaissance artist. “Cavallo di da Vinci is my way of paying homage to the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci’s Sforza Horse. As someone doing foundry work for over 20 years, I am fascinated with the Renaissance drawings and plans to make this ambitious casting. Although never completed in da Vinci’s lifetime, the nonprofit Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc. commissioned a 24-foot interpretation that was cast by Tallix Art Foundry with the help of sculptor Nina Akamu and completed in 1999. After seeing this impressive interpretation in the early 2000s, I wanted to reimagine da Vinci’s grandiose design in my own geometric style.”

The 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. National Sculpture Society is dedicated to promoting excellence in sculpture that is inspired by nature.