Jacob Harvey
Jacob W. Harvey was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. He received his Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in 2015 from Augustana University, where he studied drawing under Scott Parson and the methods of direct stone carving taught by Steve Thomas. Most of Jacob’s early works were freeform, organic abstracts in which his only goal was to find the internal, essential forms of the stone and bring them to life—the final sculptures left to speak for themselves. Primarily carving in Colorado alabaster allowed Jacob to explore many styles and forms to build his sculptural repertoire. Steve Thomas taught him the importance of simplicity and truth to the material, releasing the power and inherent beauty of stone.
Jacob soon drew inspiration from “classic-modern” abstract sculptors including Hans Arp, Brancusi, Barbara Hepworth, and Henry Moore. His ultimate goal is finding the “elemental cohesion” between these various materials and move into the realm of multimedia sculpture. Over the last several years, Jacob’s process has transitioned into more detailed stone work. He is currently creating mostly representations of human forms, animals, and mythical characters. He seeks understanding of our changing world by exploring myth.
During his undergraduate experience, he travelled to Germany in 2012 and in 2015, to study, design, and create two stained glass panels at the world-renowned Derix Glass Studios in Taunusstein, Germany. These ethereal experiences changed the trajectory and approach to all of his art to follow. After completion of his undergraduate degree, Jacob worked for Sioux Falls sculptor and owner of Bronze Age Art Casting, LLC, Rick Haugen, for nearly 10 years, helping to mold, cast, create, sculpt, and patina the works of many local and tri-state artists.
Since beginning down the artistic path at Augustana in 2010, he has created over 60 sculptures in stone, bronze, ceramic, and wood. Jacob was a member of the East Bank Gallery Cooperative from 2018-2019, later joining Rehfelds gallery in 2020. Two years later, Har vey was selected as a participant in Sculpture Walk Sioux Falls, and has been a featured artist ever sense.
In May 2024, Jacob moved to Greeley, Colorado to be closer to the Loveland “Sculpture in the Park” art show, and to as well pursue further education and inspiration in sculpture. Through 2024, Harvey feverishly worked on new concepts, while also completing some unfinished pieces from years past. In January 2025, Harvey began his tenure at renowned Art Castings Colorado in Loveland, CO. Along with his continued hands-on education, out-of-state Sculpture Garden participation, and art festivals, Harvey is in the process of carving a 3 ton block of Colorado’s “Gold Vein” Yule marble.
