MALL OF HEROES SCULPTOR - U. S. Air Force Academy

January, 2007:  United States Air Force Academy's Association of Graduates has just commissioned Mark to sculpt three life size bronze statues of distinguished  graduates for the Academy's new "Mall of Heroes" project.  The sculptures will be the first statues of graduates to be installed at the Academy and will honor the following three men:

Lance Sijan, Medal of Honor, POW, KIA
Karl Richter, Air Force Cross, KIA
Val Bourque, KIA

TEXAS NATIVE.  Mark Austin Byrd, a native Texan, has been a sculptor virtually all his life.  At age 4 he was routinely making things to play with from children's modelling clay that amazed  any adults whe saw them.  He didn't view this play as art, and never dreamed of a career as a sculptor until his middle years.   

MARINE PILOT.  After spending years studying  Zoology, Chemistry, and History,  serving as a Marine Helicopter Pilot in the Vietnam War, working as an architectural designer, construction project manager, hospital CEO, he finally realized that he was a sculptor.   In 1994, He cast his first bronze after 4 years of study and apprenticship in classical methods of sculpture at  the studio of one of America's  leading portrait sculptors, the late Lena Beth Frazier.

IMPRESSIONIST.  Mark's work encompasses a wide range of subjects, including animals, people and manmade things.   His work is highly realistic and representational, yet impressionistic.

Limited Editions.  Many of Mark's past sculptures remain available as limited editions in two forms - Traditional hot cast bronze and  bonded bronze and range in price from $100 to $20,000.   All of his works are cast and completed under his personal supervision in the United States.

Commissions.  Mark accepts commissions for portraits, award pieces, memorials, and monuments.   Current projects include his new commission to create three life size statues for the US Air Force Academy and  two nationally significant memorial projects honoring  Medal of Honor  recipients in cooperation with Valor Remembered Foundation of Dallas, Texas. 

Gallery.  Mark's Dallas studio and gallery are open by appointment only.

PRICING.  Available upon request.