Vantage Point Sculpture Unveiling

Join us for the unveiling and dedication of Vantage Point, a new bronze sculpture by wildlife artist Ken Rowe, on October 8, 2026, at 11 a.m. Commissioned by a Museum donor for the outdoor Sculpture Trail, Vantage Point depicts a resting mountain lion and will find its permanent home in the Amphitheater, just outside the Museum’s front entrance. The piece invites visitors to pause and take in the same quiet watchfulness that defines its subject. Vantage Point is the first large cat to join the Trail. Both artist Ken Rowe and the donor behind the commission will be in attendance to share the story of the sculpture’s creation, with additional remarks from the Museum’s Chief Curator of Art, Dr. Kennis Forte, and Executive Director Steve Seamons. “In using live reference, I have had the privilege of working with and handling everything from armadillos to grizzly bears, but none have proven more profound than working with Simba, a 140-pound mountain lion that was raised in captivity. Imagine the translation from petting his head and feeling the muscles while sculpting this magnificent creature. I feel a sense of obligation out of respect and reverence for these animals to serve them justice with my sculptures. Simba has since moved on, but I hope this sculpture immortalizes his spirit.” – Ken Rowe The public unveiling event is free and open to all. About the artist: Born in Arizona, Ken Rowe’s life has been shaped and forged by the rugged beauty, culture, and history of his native land. Influenced by drawing and painting with his mother, along with his love of the outdoors, Rowe’s first introduction to wildlife art was in the field of taxidermy. For fourteen years, he and his wife, Monica, owned and operated a successful taxidermy studio, during which time Rowe submerged himself in a profession that demanded an intense study of anatomy and wildlife physiology. He believes this in-depth knowledge is an extremely important quality to possess as a wildlife artist. In 1987, Rowe expanded his talents into the creation of bronze sculpture and has been a full-time sculptor for more than 38 years. He has become known for his anatomy, composition and, most importantly, the expressive life one can see in his pieces. When viewing Rowe’s bronzes, one can readily see the history of his life and the reverence he has for animals. Image courtesy of the artist.