Biography
David Newton, a classically trained sculptor, has dedicated a large part of his career to portraying African American, and other marginalized people color depicting their contributions to our culture through public art with a focus on historic bronze figurative moments.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in 1961, Newton was nurtured by a loving family who were struck by his outstanding talent when he was 10 years old. His fifth-grade teacher recognized his talent and recommended that his parents help develop it by taking private art lessons from the prominent Detroit artist Charles McGee.
David completed his undergraduate degree in fine arts from Detroit's College of Creative Studies in 1989, and his Master of Fine Art degree from the Graduate School of Figurative Arts in New York City in 1993. He also studied in Florence, Italy to more closely study the great masters such as Michelangelo and Donatello.
Throughout his studies he was confronted with the degrading way people of African descent along with other people of color were portrayed in western art. These negative depictions inspired David to make the dignified portrayal of people of color an important foundational element of his career.
"Whenever I would gaze upon historically important sculptures to study figurative design, I would come away knowing that there were few figures depicting people of African ancestry,” Newton discovered. “Perhaps more importantly, I was inspired by visions of unsung heroes and heroines of everyday people, who had made significant contributions to this great country... and I knew I had to capture these people in the same dignified manner as European sculptors before me had immortalized their own images.”
Newton's sculptures offer a refined yet modern interpretation of the African American experience. Admirers who stand before his African statue, “The Sentinel”, at Freedman’s Memorial in Dallas, Texas are made aware of the distant and powerful presence of the African American genesis. It is as if these bronze interpretations - these metaphors of many souls - have lived and are being respectfully recognized by our culture for the first time. Newton breathes life into his subjects by means of excellent knowledge of human anatomy and historical detail, while igniting each with dignity and magnificent humanity. Newton's sculptures represent great honesty and grand accomplishments.
"Each artist must discover his or her own creative compass in order to find a wellspring of artistic inspiration. I am also inspired to depict African Americans in bronze - a color-blind medium - with hope that it may translate for others as a 'color-blind' interpretation of pure, distilled beauty, strength, grace, and form."
Looking at Newton's bronze masterworks - such as Dream of Freedom, Violated Soul, and Echo - tell the tale of mankind’s immersion into the emotions of a stolen people. It is no accident that his art has become the voice of under- privileged citizens of this country - regardless of ancestry.
Public commissions have punctuated his career for nearly three decades. However, it was the national search and selection of David Newton for the commission of Freedman's Memorial in Dallas, Texas that firmly placed him front and center on the national stage. His award-winning Freedman's Cemetery Memorial commemorates the lives of more than 5,000 freed slaves who were buried in a once forgotten cemetery. Newton's superb memorial guarantees that these formerly lost souls will forever be remembered in the universally honored spirit of triumph over adversity. This is a sentiment that all of humanity admires, and because of the genius, talent, and wisdom of master sculptor, David Newton, this admiration shall continue for centuries to come.
When one stands in the presence of Newton's Freedman's Memorial, one feels ennobled. David Newton has a rare gift. He transforms flesh and blood beings into noble bronze symbols of struggle and freedom. This is a gift to be treasured.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in 1961, Newton was nurtured by a loving family who were struck by his outstanding talent when he was 10 years old. His fifth-grade teacher recognized his talent and recommended that his parents help develop it by taking private art lessons from the prominent Detroit artist Charles McGee.
David completed his undergraduate degree in fine arts from Detroit's College of Creative Studies in 1989, and his Master of Fine Art degree from the Graduate School of Figurative Arts in New York City in 1993. He also studied in Florence, Italy to more closely study the great masters such as Michelangelo and Donatello.
Throughout his studies he was confronted with the degrading way people of African descent along with other people of color were portrayed in western art. These negative depictions inspired David to make the dignified portrayal of people of color an important foundational element of his career.
"Whenever I would gaze upon historically important sculptures to study figurative design, I would come away knowing that there were few figures depicting people of African ancestry,” Newton discovered. “Perhaps more importantly, I was inspired by visions of unsung heroes and heroines of everyday people, who had made significant contributions to this great country... and I knew I had to capture these people in the same dignified manner as European sculptors before me had immortalized their own images.”
Newton's sculptures offer a refined yet modern interpretation of the African American experience. Admirers who stand before his African statue, “The Sentinel”, at Freedman’s Memorial in Dallas, Texas are made aware of the distant and powerful presence of the African American genesis. It is as if these bronze interpretations - these metaphors of many souls - have lived and are being respectfully recognized by our culture for the first time. Newton breathes life into his subjects by means of excellent knowledge of human anatomy and historical detail, while igniting each with dignity and magnificent humanity. Newton's sculptures represent great honesty and grand accomplishments.
"Each artist must discover his or her own creative compass in order to find a wellspring of artistic inspiration. I am also inspired to depict African Americans in bronze - a color-blind medium - with hope that it may translate for others as a 'color-blind' interpretation of pure, distilled beauty, strength, grace, and form."
Looking at Newton's bronze masterworks - such as Dream of Freedom, Violated Soul, and Echo - tell the tale of mankind’s immersion into the emotions of a stolen people. It is no accident that his art has become the voice of under- privileged citizens of this country - regardless of ancestry.
Public commissions have punctuated his career for nearly three decades. However, it was the national search and selection of David Newton for the commission of Freedman's Memorial in Dallas, Texas that firmly placed him front and center on the national stage. His award-winning Freedman's Cemetery Memorial commemorates the lives of more than 5,000 freed slaves who were buried in a once forgotten cemetery. Newton's superb memorial guarantees that these formerly lost souls will forever be remembered in the universally honored spirit of triumph over adversity. This is a sentiment that all of humanity admires, and because of the genius, talent, and wisdom of master sculptor, David Newton, this admiration shall continue for centuries to come.
When one stands in the presence of Newton's Freedman's Memorial, one feels ennobled. David Newton has a rare gift. He transforms flesh and blood beings into noble bronze symbols of struggle and freedom. This is a gift to be treasured.
David S. Newton Resume
dnewton61@msn.com
EDUCATION:
Master of Fine Arts 1993
The New York Academy of Art 111 Franklin Street New York, NY
Bachelor of Fine Arts 1989
College for Creative Studies 201 East Kirby Detroit, MI
Studied in Florence, Italy / Studio Art Centers International 1988
COMMISSIONS:
Former Mayor, Carl Stokes Monument, Cleveland OH, 2021-present
Ernie Banks Monument, 6ft bronze, Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas, TX 2018
Frankie Freeman Maquette NAACP of St.Louis, MO 2016
Sculpture Relief for the Clayton Community Theater Play, “The Piano Player” Clayton, MO 2015
Five-foot diameter wall relief bronze sculpture for Love Field Airport Dallas, TX 2014
El Vaquero de Fort Worth a ten-foot bronze equestrian sculpture 11 ft bronze Fort Worth, TX 2012
Black Firefighters’ Memorial Austin, TX 2008
Veterans’ Memorial Plano, TX 2008
Award Sculpture, Juneteenth Film Festival of Dallas Dallas, TX 2004
Fantasy Animal, 14ft. bronze - Fair Park Dallas, TX 2002
Monument for Freedman’s Memorial, Five over life size bronze sculptures Dallas, TX 2000
Monumental bronze Angel. Central City Entertainment Center Austin, TX 1999
Exterior Reliefs, Dallas World Aquarium Dallas, TX 1997
Ceremonial Staff, Highland Park Community College Highland Park, MI 1990
AWARDS/ ARTICLES and PRESENTATIONS:
Academic Lecture: "The Politics of taking down Public Monuments" Fontbonne University, Clayton, MO November 2021
Academic Panel: This is America: Memorializing Black Death - Panel presentation and discussion, Brown University,
Providence, RI 2021
Craftsmanship Award, Fair Park Sculpture Project, Preservation, Dallas, TX 2010
Merit Award for Design, Freedman’s Memorial, American Society of Landscape Architects
Dallas, TX 1997
EMPLOYMENT:
David Newton Studio, Owner 1995 - Present
Assistant Professor, Fontbonne University, Clayton, MO Figure Sculpture, Drawing Artistic, Anatomy/ Ecorche, Design, Art Appreciation 2014-2020
Creative Arts Center, Figure Sculpture Instructor Dallas, TX 2002-2007
Association of Latino Arts and Studies, Figure Drawing Instructor Dallas, TX, 2002-2006
Design Artist, for Master Plan - Dallas Downtown Parks, Carter & Burgess Engineering Dallas, TX 2003
Design Artist, Master Plan, Griggs Park, Dallas TX Carter & Burgess Engineering Dallas, TX 2001-2002
Design Artist, East Plano Park and Ride Train Station, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Light Rail System Dallas, TX 1997
Sculptor, Studio EIS New York City 1994
Assistant Sculptor to Michael Curtis - Texas Rangers Stadium exterior reliefs project Arlington, TX 1993-1994
Illustrator, Ford Motor Co., World Head Quarters Dearborn, MI 1986-1989
MAJOR ART SHOWS/ LECTURES:
Latino Arts Project, Art Talk Lecture Series, Freedman’s Memorial Cemetery, Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 2023
Yanga: Journeys To Freedom, African American Museum, Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas 2023
Yanga: Journeys To Freedom, African American Museum Dallas, Texas 2022
Academic Lecture: "The Politics of taking down Public Monuments" Fontbonne University Clayton, MO November 2021
Faculty Show at Fontbonne University showing various sculpture 2014 and 2018 Clayton, MO, 2018
Faculty Speakers Series at Fontbonne University, Topic: Aesthetic Philosophy on Figurative Sculpture Clayton, MO 2018
Historic Monuments & Timeless Moments, one man show, University Museum at Texas Southern University Houston, TX 2013
Historic Monuments & Timeless Moments, one man show, African American Museum Dallas, TX 2012
Dallas Fort Worth Main Library, Dallas, TX 2003
Women’s Museum of Dallas, 2002
Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, Austin, TX 2000
Trammel Crow Center, Dallas, TX 1996
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX 1996
African American Museum, Dallas, TX 1996
Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY 1994
Michigan Outdoor Sculpture Show, Southfield, MI 1991
Detroit Museum of Art, Detroit, MI 1988
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Art, Detroit, MI 1986
EDUCATION:
Master of Fine Arts 1993
The New York Academy of Art 111 Franklin Street New York, NY
Bachelor of Fine Arts 1989
College for Creative Studies 201 East Kirby Detroit, MI
Studied in Florence, Italy / Studio Art Centers International 1988
COMMISSIONS:
Former Mayor, Carl Stokes Monument, Cleveland OH, 2021-present
Ernie Banks Monument, 6ft bronze, Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas, TX 2018
Frankie Freeman Maquette NAACP of St.Louis, MO 2016
Sculpture Relief for the Clayton Community Theater Play, “The Piano Player” Clayton, MO 2015
Five-foot diameter wall relief bronze sculpture for Love Field Airport Dallas, TX 2014
El Vaquero de Fort Worth a ten-foot bronze equestrian sculpture 11 ft bronze Fort Worth, TX 2012
Black Firefighters’ Memorial Austin, TX 2008
Veterans’ Memorial Plano, TX 2008
Award Sculpture, Juneteenth Film Festival of Dallas Dallas, TX 2004
Fantasy Animal, 14ft. bronze - Fair Park Dallas, TX 2002
Monument for Freedman’s Memorial, Five over life size bronze sculptures Dallas, TX 2000
Monumental bronze Angel. Central City Entertainment Center Austin, TX 1999
Exterior Reliefs, Dallas World Aquarium Dallas, TX 1997
Ceremonial Staff, Highland Park Community College Highland Park, MI 1990
AWARDS/ ARTICLES and PRESENTATIONS:
Academic Lecture: "The Politics of taking down Public Monuments" Fontbonne University, Clayton, MO November 2021
Academic Panel: This is America: Memorializing Black Death - Panel presentation and discussion, Brown University,
Providence, RI 2021
Craftsmanship Award, Fair Park Sculpture Project, Preservation, Dallas, TX 2010
Merit Award for Design, Freedman’s Memorial, American Society of Landscape Architects
Dallas, TX 1997
EMPLOYMENT:
David Newton Studio, Owner 1995 - Present
Assistant Professor, Fontbonne University, Clayton, MO Figure Sculpture, Drawing Artistic, Anatomy/ Ecorche, Design, Art Appreciation 2014-2020
Creative Arts Center, Figure Sculpture Instructor Dallas, TX 2002-2007
Association of Latino Arts and Studies, Figure Drawing Instructor Dallas, TX, 2002-2006
Design Artist, for Master Plan - Dallas Downtown Parks, Carter & Burgess Engineering Dallas, TX 2003
Design Artist, Master Plan, Griggs Park, Dallas TX Carter & Burgess Engineering Dallas, TX 2001-2002
Design Artist, East Plano Park and Ride Train Station, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Light Rail System Dallas, TX 1997
Sculptor, Studio EIS New York City 1994
Assistant Sculptor to Michael Curtis - Texas Rangers Stadium exterior reliefs project Arlington, TX 1993-1994
Illustrator, Ford Motor Co., World Head Quarters Dearborn, MI 1986-1989
MAJOR ART SHOWS/ LECTURES:
Latino Arts Project, Art Talk Lecture Series, Freedman’s Memorial Cemetery, Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 2023
Yanga: Journeys To Freedom, African American Museum, Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas 2023
Yanga: Journeys To Freedom, African American Museum Dallas, Texas 2022
Academic Lecture: "The Politics of taking down Public Monuments" Fontbonne University Clayton, MO November 2021
Faculty Show at Fontbonne University showing various sculpture 2014 and 2018 Clayton, MO, 2018
Faculty Speakers Series at Fontbonne University, Topic: Aesthetic Philosophy on Figurative Sculpture Clayton, MO 2018
Historic Monuments & Timeless Moments, one man show, University Museum at Texas Southern University Houston, TX 2013
Historic Monuments & Timeless Moments, one man show, African American Museum Dallas, TX 2012
Dallas Fort Worth Main Library, Dallas, TX 2003
Women’s Museum of Dallas, 2002
Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, Austin, TX 2000
Trammel Crow Center, Dallas, TX 1996
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX 1996
African American Museum, Dallas, TX 1996
Jacob Javits Center, New York, NY 1994
Michigan Outdoor Sculpture Show, Southfield, MI 1991
Detroit Museum of Art, Detroit, MI 1988
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Art, Detroit, MI 1986
