FUMC of Marble Falls welcomes statue by local artist Dan Pogue
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — Dan Pogue often sees things in places others miss. Or maybe he sees what’s missing or what could be.
About 12 years ago, while walking outside First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls, the local sculptor saw something missing in the small circle area among the landscaping. He realized that area needed something identifiable with the church and its congregation.
“I got to looking at that circle area out there and thought it just needed something,” Pogue said. As a nationally known sculptor with a studio just east of Marble Falls in Smithwick, Pogue has created some incredible works of art. He’s one of the main people behind the concept of Sculpture on Main in Marble Falls.
But time went on as it does, and other things came and went. Still, that circle represented something more to Pogue.
Two years ago, Pogue started thinking about the circle some more. But nothing really took root.
“Sometimes, years go by when working on something because you have so much other things going on and projects,” Pogue said.
As the church’s 125th anniversary approached this year, the idea of transforming the circle took on another level of planning. Pogue presented the sculpture idea, which gained traction among church leaders. Eventually, he did a mock-up of what he envisioned.
The design featured Jesus standing with his arms open. Pogue said, though there are other sculptures of Jesus that are similar, the design just made sense to him.
“What the church really is to me is a welcoming church,” Pogue said. “What would be better than Christ with his arms wide open?”
At Jesus’ feet are lambs which, Pogue said, represents the church.
Once he received the “OK” for the design, Pogue began sculpting the full-size piece, which took two to three months. Then, he sent it to Stephens Art Foundry in Bulverde for casting, which took another couple of months. While it wasn’t in place when the church celebrated its anniversary earlier this year, the congregation knew it was on its way.
This also gave the church and Pogue time to prepare the site, including taking out the landscaping and redesigning the circle to include pavers. Then, in June, Pogue placed the statue.
“I’m really happy with the way it turned out,” he said. “It’s how I imagined it those 10 or 12 years ago.”
Pogue’s studio is located at 7670 FM 1431 east of Marble Falls. Go to danpoguesculpture.com for more information. You can see his latest work at First United Methodist Church, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive.
daniel@thepicayune.com