FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Elizabeth Helm, pr@nationalsculpture.org

(212) 764-5645, ext. 102, April 27, 2026

GWEN PIER AWARDED NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY’S MEDAL OF HONOR

New York, NY. The National Sculpture Society (NSS) is pleased to announce the selection of Gwen Pier, outgoing executive director of the NSS, for our highest award, the Medal of Honor. This award is bestowed infrequently and only on the occasion warranting the recognition of a person for their dedication and exceptional work to support and advance sculpture and sculptors in America. The Medal of Honor will be presented to Pier on May 16, 2026, during the NSS Sculpture Celebration, held in Old Saybrook, CT. Pier joins a prestigious list of recipients, including Daniel Chester French (1929), Paul Manship (1942), Malvina Hoffman (1964), Neil Estern (2008), Dan Ostermiller (2015), and Robin R. Salmon (2022).

Over the nearly four decades Pier served as executive director of the NSS, she led the organization through myriad challenges. Under her leadership, the organization has steadily grown its membership, become financially secure with a major endowment, added scholarship programs, and hosted exhibitions across the US.

“When I was reflecting on Gwen’s tenure at the NSS, I suddenly realized that she has been running it for almost 30% of its existence,” says Gregory Glasson, NSS Board President. “That is a long time in the span of a nonprofit organization in America. Under her steadfast leadership, NSS has weathered major changes. Gwen brought the NSS from the brink of bankruptcy and, by leveraging a donated piece of real estate from a past board president, sculptor Richard McDermott Miller, she has strengthened the organization for the foreseeable future.”

Before announcing her retirement, Pier worked tirelessly to ensure the NSS was not only on a solid financial footing, but she also oversaw the strategic planning process that will now help guide the organization well into the future.

Ever a constant and gracious presence at NSS events, receptions, meetings, and hundreds of sculpture unveilings, Pier has worked tirelessly for the NSS, supporting fellow organizations across the country and promoting sculptors for projects large and small. And, naturally, she took an active role in finding her successor and supporting his transition as executive director.

“Gwen, on behalf of the NSS board, members, and all the up-and-coming sculptors who have discovered and will continue to discover this organization because of your efforts, I thank you,” says board president Glasson.

For more information about Gwen Pier, the awards dinner, or the National Sculpture Society, please contact the office at pr@nationalsculpture.org or (212) 764-5645 ext. 102.

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