Nancy Schön

Nancy Schön is an American sculptor renowned for her whimsical and accessible public art, most famously the bronze statues depicting the characters from Robert McCloskey's beloved children's book, Make Way for Ducklings. Her work, often inspired by literature and fables, is installed in prominent locations across the United States, particularly in the Boston area, and has become an integral part of the civic landscape. Schön's sculptures are celebrated for their interactive quality, inviting touch and engagement from viewers of all ages, thereby fostering a deep connection between art, community, and public space.

Early life and education

Born in Boston, she developed an early interest in art, which was nurtured by the city's rich cultural institutions. She pursued her formal education at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she studied under influential artists and honed her skills in traditional sculptural techniques. Her artistic development was further shaped by the vibrant post-war art scene in New England and the enduring legacy of public monuments in cities like Boston and Cambridge. This foundational period instilled in her a commitment to creating art that was both aesthetically refined and publicly accessible.

Career

Schön's career spans several decades, during which she has created a significant body of work primarily in bronze. She gained national prominence in 1987 with the installation of her Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Boston Public Garden, a project championed by then-First Lady Barbara Bush. This success led to numerous commissions for public and private art across the country, including installations at the Prudential Center and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Her practice often involves close collaboration with community groups, architects, and civic leaders, such as those in Concord and New York City, to ensure her works resonate with their specific settings and audiences.

Notable works

Her most iconic work remains the Make Way for Ducklings series in the Boston Public Garden, which features a mother duck and her eight ducklings. Another highly celebrated piece is The Tortoise and the Hare, located in Copley Square, which captures the dramatic climax of the classic Aesop fable. Other significant installations include The Ravens at the Boston Athenæum, The Poet's Walk in Cambridge, and a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Buffalo, New York. Her sculptures can also be found in the collections of the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum and the National Museum of American History.

Awards and recognition

Schön has received widespread acclaim for her contributions to public art. She is a recipient of the prestigious Henry Hering Medal from the National Sculpture Society, awarded for outstanding collaboration between architect, sculptor, and owner. Her work has been honored by organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the City of Boston. In 2019, she was awarded the Commonwealth Award from the Boston Society of Architects. Her Make Way for Ducklings sculpture has been designated a Boston landmark and has inspired replicas, including a famous gift to Moscow's Novodevichy Park as a symbol of friendship from Barbara Bush.

Personal life

She was married to the renowned philosopher and scholar Donald Schön, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; their partnership was a significant source of intellectual and personal support. Together they raised two children, immersing their family in the academic and artistic communities of Boston and Cambridge. Following her husband's death, she has continued to live and work in the Boston area, maintaining an active studio practice and participating in cultural dialogues about the role of art in society. Her life and work remain deeply intertwined with the civic identity of New England.

Category:American sculptors Category:1928 births Category:Artists from Boston Category:Public art in the United States Category:Living people