The sculpture Humanity’s High Hurdle was moved to its new home at the Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT) on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This piece was part of an exhibition titled Ole’ Say Can We See, a life survey of Garry R. Bibbs, a sculptor, printmaker, and professor from the University of Kentucky. The show ran from June 2022 through February 2023 in the Museum’s Main Gallery. Humanity’s High Hurdle has lived at the entrance to the Erie Art Museum on the Peter and Dana Zaphiris Family Patio since the exhibition's close. The sculpture is part of EAM’s permanent collection but is on a long-term loan to ECAT.
When considering artists’ work, we often overlook the people who have helped them along the way. Young artists need mentors to help them learn the craft and to help them gain the necessary self-confidence to reach deep within and reveal their feelings. University of Kentucky sculpture professor Garry Bibbs is the first to bring attention to the mentors who have been with him on every step of his journey. From public school art teachers to abstract sculpture icon Richard Hunt, Bibbs’ mentors have often seen talent and ability that he could not see himself. Professor Bibbs has been teaching students for more than 30 years, and he’s certain to pass the lessons he’s learned to generations to come.
Garry Bibbs - Humanity's High Hurdle at the Erie Art Museum
Stainless steel is literally one of the hardest mediums in which to work—it is hard to weld, hard to grind—but artist and University of Kentucky art professor Garry Bibbs says he is drawn to the material and its beautiful surface. In this video segment, Bibbs talks about his background, his role as a mentor of art studio students, and his influences and inspirations.
WAVE County interviews Garry Bibbs
Garry Bibbs and crew install Commons Love Tree, a 24 foot tall stainless steel and bronze sculpture in Louisville KY.
Kirk Kopitzke talks about commissioning public art from artist Garry R. Bibbs.
Interview with artist Garry R. Bibbs about his public sculpture "Humanity Roll - Left to Right".