“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” 

I completely agree with you, legendary French Artist and Sculptor Edgar Degas. And for Andrew DeVries, this translates to his vision of grace and beauty in the human form. The Berkshires, Mass.-based sculptor and artist, who cites Degas as one of his biggest influences (the other is the art of dance), is an internationally acclaimed talent who is regularly adding to his collection. For instance, he’s preparing to unveil several new works in the next few months, including Apollo, a half-life-size depiction of a male dancer. 

I would love to own any one of Andrew’s sculptures; I’m not picky. Several of his pieces, such as Seagull, bring me back to my childhood when I took ballet and tap dancing classes. His sculptures epitomize the dancer I always strived to be. 

By many art collectors and enthusiasts, Andrew’s vision and work have been compared to that of Degas, and with good reason. According to Andrew recently, “Degas and I share the same love of dance, on stage and off. We both admire the strength, determination, dedication, and at its height, the pure beauty of the dancers themselves.” 

His newest exhibition, to be held on May 13 at his gallery in Lenox, Mass.— DeVries, Dance, Degas —is a perfect example of the talents and similarities Andrew and Degas share. It pays proper homage to what has served as his inspiration for several decades. The pieces to be displayed are original bronze sculptures and drawings by Andrew that depict contemporary dance and movement, and these will be accompanied by photographs and commentary on works ranging from ancient Greece to the days of Degas to today. Andrew says the exhibition will “give those familiar with dance a greater insight of the symbiotic relationship the visual arts share with it.” 

He hopes that those not as familiar with dance will gain enlightenment and greater appreciation for it. As a former public relations specialist with a world-renowned, critically acclaimed ballet company, I have come to appreciate and admire dancers and the art of dance. Now, viewing and learning more about Andrew’s work has further enhanced that appreciation and admiration. In fact, his work inspired a mini photo series of sorts with me and my good friend. Last year, Andrew was the featured, exclusive artist in the 2010 Lenox Sculpture Walk. His sculptures could be seen throughout this historic town that sits in the heart of the Berkshires, long renowned as an epicenter of arts and culture. 

The DeVries, Dance, Degas exhibition, which kicks off the 2011 season, is not the only event up Andrew’s sleeve. He has many more events planned for this year, among them, a Memorial Day reception on May 28, the unveiling of some of his newest works in early June, and more. One that I’m particularly looking forward to will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14 at Andrew’s private studio in Middlefield, Mass., also in the Berkshires. The sculptor will open his River Studio to the public, offering a look into his artistic process. Andrew is a one-man show, doing everything from sketching his ideas on paper to casting them in bronze. The August event will feature a demonstration of the lost wax bronze casting process, from mold-making to the pouring of molten bronze (done at a staggering 2,000 degrees). Click here to watch a short video of this process that was featured in a WGBY (the western Mass. PBS affiliate) show called “Making it Here,” originally broadcast in April 2006.