The National Sculpture Society (NSS) awards Kathe Umlauf the 2026 Marilyn Newmark Memorial Grant. The Grant is given annually to animal sculptors who have demonstrated a commitment to sculpting and an outstanding ability in their body of work. It consists of an unrestricted cash prize of $5,000 and a hand-lettered certificate.

Three NSS Fellows, Tim Cherry (from MO), Roger Martin (from NC), and Adam Matano (from CA) reviewed the applications. Roger Martin feels that “Kathe Umlauf’s strong understanding of the subject matter brings her work to life.”

Umlauf says, “Animals have always captured my attention largely because, I think, they are so integrated and transparent… An animal reveals itself through its body. They cannot hide who they really are. We share much of that with them – the bones, the muscles, the symmetry of vertebrates are held in common to a degree. I am interested in how the abstract forms work together to make the whole, as well as capturing movement to reveal the mood or emotion of the animal. The education I received at both Tyler (experimental and Laissez-Faire) and PAFA (traditions based) has formed in me a way of working with clay that is both loose and highly structured. Also, I was raised under a heavy Bauhaus influence which has carried into my sculpture. I guess it boils down to the question of ‘who am I, what am I?’ Mostly I work in Earth clay because of its responsiveness to touch. Much of my work is directly fired, some of it is cast in bronze or other substances.”

Umlauf studied at Tyler School of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, both in Philadelphia, PA. She earned her BA in art from Millersville University (Millersville, PA) and her MFA in sculpture from Edinboro University (Edinboro, PA). Her work is found in public and private collections, including ARCO Chemical Company, Harrisburg Area Community College, The Erie Zoo, Saint Vincent Hospital, The Franklin Mint, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, The Erie Art Museum, Port Allegheny School District, and Millersville University. She has taught workshops on working with clay, drawing animals from life, and plein air painting. Her work is represented at West End Gallery (Corning, NY); Red Raven Art Company (Lancaster, PA) and Painted Finch Gallery (Corry, PA).

Kathe Umlauf will receive the grant on May 16, 2026, at the NSS Honors and Awards Dinner in Old Saybrook CT. The Grant is named for Marilyn Newmark (1926-2013), a competitive equestrian and highly accomplished sculptor whose preferred subject was horses. Newmark served on the NSS Board for several years and won more than twelve gold medals and one hundred awards at national and international exhibitions.