Like quite a few of history’s most celebrated wildlife sculptors, most famously Carl Akeley, Dan Ostermiller paved his way to fine art through taxidermy. As the son of Roy Ostermiller, a renowned taxidermist and avid hunter whose Cheyenne-based operation had a global presence, Dan grew up immersed in the science, technical skills, craftsmanship, lifestyle and subject matter that shaped him into one of the most preeminent animal sculptors working today.
Saquaro Shade, 2026, bronze, ed. of 20, 16 x 7 x 8 in.
His bronzes grace the collections and grounds of major institutions and public spaces all over the country. His Scottish Angus Cow and Calf, three times larger than life, is a prominent feature on the Denver Art Museum campus. An equally oversized R.B. (Rabbit Bunny) is an Easter highlight at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Pennsylvania; a bear tears into its fresh catch along a forest trail in Arkansas at Crystal Bridges Museum in Shore Lunch; and a proud bighorn sheep is among the bronze wildlife dotting the hills surrounding the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, just to a name a few.
Inquisitive Doe, 2026, bronze, ed. of 20, 19 x 133/8 x 5½ in.
From June 26 through July 24, appreciators of Ostermiller’s work will have the unique opportunity to experience around two dozen examples of his bronzes all in one place during a retrospective at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe. ANIMALIER: Celebrating 50 Years of Sculpting will span from 1990 to today, including many new pieces and others from Ostermiller’s personal collection that have never been available before now.
Among the most impressive new works is Good Hare Day, which features a line of rabbits along a garden wall. He created the sculpture for this show specifically.
Contemplating Hibernation, 2026, bronze, ed. of 12, 39½ x 27 x 32 in.
“I do a lot of multiples,” he says, noting a gathering of penguins inspired by a trip to Antarctica, the caravan of animals in Circus Parade, and the surge of racing horses in Kentucky Derby, examples of which will be in the retrospective. “They give me an opportunity to bring out so many personalities in the animals. They’re fun to do and people really respond to them—they’re supposed to make people happy.”
Ostermiller says that most of his large-scale pieces, like Good Hare Day which is over 3 feet high and roughly 9 feet long, usually end up outdoors. “For this one, my hope is that someone will put it in a public space where lots of people and children will see it because I really think it lends itself to that. I love anybody that loves my work but it’s so nice to have them in public places so the people who can’t afford my work can enjoy them.”
With 50 years of sculpting under his belt—a milestone that has prompted the artist to reflect on how grateful he is to have found success doing what he loves—Ostermiller has the ability to create works that transcend the barrier of reality and capture an animal’s essence. This ability is almost second nature.
Portrait of Dan Ostermiller with Good Hare Day, 2026. Pictured in clay but will be cast in bronze, 43 x 109 x 46 in., ed. of 12.
“I don’t even think about the technical side that much anymore,” he says. “I think mainly about the design element and making the piece read right…When I get into the sculpting, I get into a little bit of a zone. If I’m really excited it goes fast and that’s when I know I’m doing something right. I get so into it I don’t even know what’s going on around me.”
ANIMALIER: Celebrating 50 Years of Sculpting opens with a reception on June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. —
Nedra Matteucci Galleries 1075 Paseo De Peralta » Santa Fe, NM, 87501 » (505) 982-4631 » www.matteucci.com
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