Queen of the Hills

Description

Spearfish has always been “The Queen City of the Hills,” and this statue, “Queen of the Hills,” is my way of honoring that legacy. It’s a piece that goes beyond bronze—it’s about capturing the spirit of this town, its history, and the heart of the people here.

I started sculpting this piece right in the middle of Spearfish’s Downtown Friday Nights. Folks gathered around as I worked, seeing this vision take shape layer by layer. There’s something special about creating a piece out in the open, surrounded by the same community it’s meant to celebrate. This 28-inch model is a nod to the life-size version, a fountain statue that flows with water like the creeks winding through the Black Hills.

The Queen herself is dressed in a toga—a nod to the Passion Play, which has deep roots here in Spearfish. She holds water in her palm, letting it spill down to a pool in her apron, with fish leaping up as if part of the landscape.

Each piece is part of a limited edition run, and every one of them helps bring us closer to making the life-size fountain a reality. So, if you want a bit of Spearfish’s story to call your own, this bronze just might be the piece for you.