Glenna Goodacre
Sculptor • Santa Fe, NM
Distinction: Goodacre is a highly recognized sculptor, having created important public works such as the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the art world during your career? The biggest change is the Internet. Now there are virtual galleries and we’re in touch with collectors all over the world. But I still believe in galleries, in the experience of going into a beautiful space and seeing art as it would look in your home or office.
How do you define success? I’m successful if I am recognized as a good artist by my fellow artists.
People would be surprised to learn that… I’m a grandmother. I’m very fortunate—I have five grandchildren and we’re all very, very close. My daughter, Jill Connick, who’s married to Harry Connick Jr., lives in Connecticut, and my son Tim Goodacre lives in Boulder. I see a lot of them, and I love and adore them.
Where do you find inspiration? I have always called myself a people artist. I’ve done a few animals during the course of my career—one horse, several goats, one rabbit—but I think people enjoy people. Inspiration comes from books I read, people I see on the street, and I travel extensively. People look for themselves in my sculptures; they look for faces that feel familiar.
What role has Southwest Art magazine played in your career? A big role, because of the many articles about my work and my shows. We still use reprints from two great articles that are decades old. And people learned a long time ago to keep up with me, and other artists, by looking in Southwest Art.
Describe yourself in one word. Hard-working.
If your home or studio was on fire, what one thing would you save? I have a painting of me by portrait artist Daniel Greene. Or I might save the largest piece of my work in my house, or I might save another painting in my living room, by Daniel Sprick. But it would definitely be an artwork.
What honor in your career means the most to you? Probably the greatest achievement is being elected to the National Academy of Design in New York, and becoming a fellow member of the National Sculpture Society.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 10 years? I have a new studio here at my home and I’m doing a series of bas-reliefs. I was sick for a while, but I’ve regained all my energy and my mind is going rapidly. I’d like to do a show that is all bas-relief pieces, covering the whole wall of a gallery. I’m finishing up bas-relief pieces of my grandchildren and am working on one of President Obama, and then I’m going to take it from there.
How would you like to be remembered? As a good artist who creates pieces that are meaningful to people.
Featured in “40 Prominent People” in May 2011.