Bigfork bronze artist dies

A renowned local bronze artist and former gallery owner died last week.

Bigfork sculptor Bob Stayton, 81, died May 18 at his home in Bigfork. Stayton and his wife Mary had operated Buffalo Trails Gallery in the Bigfork Station building on Electric Avenue for more than a dozen years and at one location or another in Bigfork for about 23 years. They closed the gallery in March when their lease expired.

"It was our pleasure," Mary Stayton said of their time on Electric. "It was so fun to watch Bigfork grow."

The Staytons were able to watch the street blossom to include more and more galleries.

"It was a fun place to do art," Mary said. "It was a perfect place to be."

Bob enjoyed being downtown and being able to show people how he worked and explain the process.

"He would work and talk at the same time," Mary said. "It was his stage."

Bob's Western-style and wildlife sculptures have been well-known in Bigfork and throughout the West. Much of his inspiration came from growing up around horses and on the range near Great Falls, drawing and painting animals, wildlife and the scenery of the Rocky Mountains.

"The freedom to imagine and dream of the life of a cowboy and outdoorsman is exciting, but to have lived and experienced the life is exhilarating," Bob was captured saying.

He returned to his love of art at age 53 after careers in architecture, interior design and education. His influences also came from his Celtic and Cherokee heritage.

"[Bob] brought his great art skills to the community," said Donna Lawson, owner of the Jug Tree on Electric Avenue. "And he never hesitated to promote the community either."

One of his recent works was a 6-foot bobcat sculpture for his alma mater, Montana State University. The sculpture, dubbed "Spirit," was installed in the Alumni Plaza at the Bozeman campus in October during Homecoming celebrations.

According to his family, Bob viewed the work as the pinnacle of his art career.

"I want to sculpt the things that I knew and what I had observed," he told the Eagle in 2007. "I work from the memories that I have of my life."

Another of his legacies, this one in the Bigfork area, is the pair of dancing grizzly bears for Bear Dance Village, a luxury condominium project in Bigfork.

Bob's list of honors includes the "People's Choice: Best Sculptor" award at the C.M. Russell Auction in Great Falls in 1996.

His family will continue to sell his works, including a few new pieces that were still being cast at the time of his death.

A memorial service for Bob will be held at 1 p.m. today, May 27, at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork.

More information about Bob or his work can be found at www.bobstayton.com.