"Bill was born with a rare gift that can't be taught - the ability
to convey the character and emotion of his subjects".
- Prague sculptor Olinka Broadfoot -
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Biography
Bill's career has included working as an engineer, entrepreneur,
business owner, college professor, military officer and caregiver.
With no background in art, he was intuitively attracted to sculpture.
In 2001 he enrolled in a ceramics class at the Indianapolis Art Center
where everyone else made a bowl. He made a head.
In 2002 he took a four night Portrait Sculpture Class
at the Old Lyme Arts Academy in Connecticut.
In 2007 he enrolled in six classes taught by Prague sculptor
Olinka Broadfoot at her "Rising Sun Studio" in Indiana.
He is now a full-time sculptor at his rural studio in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Bill working in Mars Hill Studio
Collections:
"Doc Willett", Founder Steamboat Springs Hospital,
Steamboat Springs, CO, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018.
"Herman Moench" , Former Dean Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology,
Terre Haute, IN, Donated 2017.
"Daniel Hillenbrand", Former President Hillenbrand Inc.,
Batesville, IN, 2013.
"Tom Picket", Indiana Music Legend,
Columbus, IN, 2008.
"Governor Edgar Whitcomb", Former Indiana Governor,
Rome, IN, 2007.
"Rex Breeden", Former President Board of Trustees,
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, 2005.
Honors and Awards:
Second Place. Guthrie Escape: Art, Music & Wine, Guthrie, OK,
2011.
Best of Show. Southern Indiana Art Center, Seymour, IN, 2008.
Best of Show. Southern Indiana Art Center, Seymour, IN, 2007.
Solo Exhibitions:
2007 Southern Indiana Arts Center, Seymour, IN.
2006 Indiana Museum of Art, Columbus, IN.
Group Exhibitions:
2008 Evansville Museum Juried Regional Show, Evansville, IN.
2007 Swope Art Museum Juried Regional Show, Terre Haute, IN.
Publications and Media:
"Looks Mean Everything To This Late-Career Sculptor"
Asheville Made Magazine, July 2019 -
"Doc Willett Health Care Heritage Award."
Steamboat Springs Hospital Foundation Magazine.
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018.
"Past Meets Present." Tribune Star.
October 5, 2017.
"Dean Herman Moench Bust Dedication."
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Alumni Magazine.
Summer 2017.
"Hayden Prepares for Festival." North Vernon Plain Dealer.
August 28, 2008. Front page and page 14A.
"Artists Learn Sculpting Craft at SICA Class."
Jackson County Banner.
November 11, 2007. Front page and page 7.
"Bill Holmes Captures Dignity." INto Art Magazine.
April - June Issue 2007. Pages 36 and 37.
"Art from the Master's Hand." Jennings Sunday Paper.
September 7, 2006. Front page and page F6.