Sara Balbin

Whether she is combining steel, rock and flame or applying oils on leather and canvas, the artistry of Sara Balbin reflects the diversity of the family of man and the natural environment that surrounds her northwestern Wisconsin studio.

Since 1976, Balbin (BFA, MA, ATR) has operated from her Dragonfly Studio near the Chequamegon National Forest in Drummond, Wisconsin. Her current style of artwork has been strongly influenced by these surroundings, her Cuban-born heritage and a decade long association with the local band of the Ojibwe, or Anishinaabe (original people) of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Her primary forms of expression are metal sculpture and oil paintings that reflect a multi-cultural influence.

Her dynamic larger public sculptures are well known in the Cable area of Northern Wisconsin. While her more intimate figurative sculptures demonstrate a diversity of vision and talent for visual design, many of her works grace collections across the country.

With the support of two National Endowment for the Arts and Wisconsin Arts Board grants, Balbin has helped preserve the history of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe in a series of thirty-two oil portrait paintings known as the “Hall of Elders”. With the assistance of a grant from the Wisconsin Outagamie Charitable Foundation, Holy Cow! Press (Duluth, MN) will publish this series of allegorical portraits along with historical biographies as “Spirit of the Ojibwe, Images of Lac Courte Oreilles Elders” in 2008.

In the words of the artist, “Whether working in oils or metal, I strive to explore the connection between people and the environment. My sculptures reflect nature and the fluid motion of the human form. To better incorporate my sculptures into an earthy setting, I use glacially deposited rocks and found artifacts”.

Balbin believes, “Each of my sculptures has an energy, a spirit of its very own that is brought to life with light, the seasons and the interplay of man.”

Sculpture: "Soaring Spirit" eagle sculpture in the Art Park

For further information and photos of her past and recent creative expressions visit: www.sarabalbin.com and www.portalwisconsin.org.

Dragonfly Studio - Sara Balbin
46400 Blue Moon Rd. - Drummond, WI 54832
715-798-3848 Phone
Contact: info@sarabalbin.com