Betty Davenport Ford: Capturing the Animal Spirit (updated)

A sculpture exhibit, Betty Davenport Ford: Capturing the Animal Spirit, will be on public view at three venues from November 3, 2013 through October of 2014. This exhibit, produced by the Claremont Museum of Art, is cosponsored by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens and the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts.

One of Claremont’s most prolific sculptors, Betty Davenport Ford is well known for her unique style and honest craftsmanship. Working in clay and bronze for over sixty years, she simplifies form to abstract the natural essence of the wild creatures she depicts.

Sunday, November 3 at the Padua Hills Art Fiesta
Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Art Fiesta tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for CMA, RSABG and SAMFAC members. Children under 18 are free.

November 10 – March 30, 2014 at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Exhibit is open Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Garden admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $4 for children and free for CMA and RSABG members.

Friday, December 13, 5-7 p.m. at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
The Claremont Museum of Art will host a reception at the RSABG gallery to honor Betty Davenport Ford. There will be a $5 entrance fee for that evening’s Luminaria event with a candle-lit loop walk through the gardens.

May 4 – October 25 at Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts
5131 Carnelian St., Alta Loma. As part of Sculpture in the Garden 2014, the exhibition will be on display in the Pyramid Room every Thursday and Saturday noon to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Artist

During Ford’s early years she discovered the beauty of the animal form, a fascination that thematically reoccurred in her sculptures throughout her professional career. It was through the study of the form and anatomy of these creatures that Ford gained the ability to capture not only the likeness of her animal subjects, but their essence as well.

A professional sculptor, teacher and author, Betty Davenport Ford was born in Upland in 1924. She received her BA degree from Scripps College and her MFA from Cranbrook Academy in Michigan in 1950. Her award winning work has been exhibited throughout the country and she has taught at Scripps, Pasadena City College and throughout California for the Visual Arts Program. She created numerous public works of art including the large tiger of Chaffey High School in Ontario and several fountains for the Pomona Mall.