Edd Hayes

Biography

Edd Hayes had already experienced work as a carpenter, steel worker, oilfield welder, professional cowboy, territory salesman, corporate sales and entrepreneur. One passion that had followed him for years was art and finally in late 1979 all these former skills were about to be put to good use in his next chosen profession, producing three dimensional art....a sculptor. In the summer of 1980, mostly through trial and error, Hayes created his first small figurative sculpture in wax. It was cast in bronze in a limited edition of 15 and sold out quickly. Hayes was hooked, he felt he had found his calling.

Through intensive study of past and present masters of the sculpted form, diligent study of anatomy of both humans and animals, a strong work ethic plus a real passion for perfection brought Hayes his first monumental commission. In the spring of 1989, Hayes was asked to create a 30 ft. tall bronze monument of Rodeo Superstar Casey Tibbs on the famous bronc, Necktie. It would be titled, The Champ. This monument, created, delivered and installed in the miracle time of 140 days was unveiled and dedicated in August 1989. It became the centerpiece and official logo of The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of The American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Today there are eleven of Hayes’ bronzes in the museum's permanent art collection along with two more outdoor monuments.

The experience led Hayes, 44 in 1989, to devote the rest of his career to pursuing life-size portrait and monumental sculpture. In December 1991, for the upcoming 60th Anniversary of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Hayes was asked to create something to commemorate this event. His second monument, Wild and Free, originally installed at the entrance to the Astroarena in 1992, was later moved to Carruth Plaza between the Astrodome and the new Reliant Stadium. The six, 1.5 life-size, bronze mustangs, is 200ft. long and 22ft. tall, in a setting of creeks, waterfalls, native Texas plants, wildflowers and grasses.
Hayes is now sought after for his experience and excellence in quality and dependability in designing, creating, delivering and installing monumental public art. His public and corporate bronze monuments now number over 60.

The diversity of Hayes' public art is extraordinary, including; a 16ft. tall Pegasus, The Struggle at Energy Plaza in Houston. Mamie and Albert George, life-size bronze figures rest on a bench under a 300 year old oak, next to the Museum. A life-size bronze, Aggie Spirit, of an Aggie Redpot, was installed in Texas A&M in 2004. The Aggie is pointing toward the site of the bonfire tragedy in 1999.

A 16ft. tall WW II Memorial, A Call to Duty was dedicated on Veteran’s Day 2007, Texas’ first monument dedicated solely to WW II Veterans. A couple of life- size firefighter bronze statues, In the Line of Fire for the Houston Fire Museum in Houston and A Breath of Valor for a Firefighter Memorial in Baytown. Baylor
Baylor University Law School commissioned Hayes to create a life-size figurative portrait in bronze of former Baylor Law Professor and living legend, Matt "Mad Dog" Dawson. A life-size sculpture of founding Pastors John and Dodie Osteen was dedicated on Mother’s Day 2009, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Lakewood Church in Houston.

A life-size bronze of a Thelma Mercer greets visitors inside Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. A beautiful mermaid, If Only, graces the Grand Golf Club in San Diego, California. Larger than life Canadian Geese, titled The Landing graces the eastern entry to the city of Katy, Texas. More of Hayes' big geese will be placed at other entrances into the city. A ‘larger than life-size’ figurative portrait in bronze of famed heart surgeon, Michael E. DeBakey was created for the opening of the new Michael E. DeBakey Library and Museum at The Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Over 27 head of life-size deer grace entrances into The Woodlands, north of Houston.

Early 2014 will see a new contemporary Hayes piece, Heron Creek, the largest grouping of eight 1.5 life Great Blue Heron, all cast in Stainless Steel, anywhere in the world.
Other bronze sculpture by Hayes can be found in the permanent collections of major museums in California, Colorado, South Dakota, Texas and Russia. Hayes' limited edition bronzes have found their way to collectors in Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, Germany, the Middle East and of course, here at home.

Hayes' donated works of art have raised enormous sums for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Sunshine Kids, and various other children's charities. Hayes is a member of The Former Texas Rangers Foundation. He is currently a Steering Judge Advisor for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program which gives out college scholarships and prize money to bright young Texas artists. He is a member of The National Sculpture Society.

In 1998/99 Edd Hayes was recognized and honored by his home state when The Texas State Senate and 76th Texas State Legislature named Edd Hayes as Official Texas State Sculptor.