Biography
David F. Shankland
The shark was over five feet long with shiny scales, identifying fins ferocious saw-toothed teeth. This piece launched him into a career as a sculptor, artist, teacher, and humanitarian activist. From high school art classes to a Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan’s renowned art department to a 46-year long relationship with his teacher, mentor, and friend, Ebb Haycock, David has evolved personally and professionally into an artist. David has given the world more than a glimpse into all the joys and pain of its creatures’ lives. In addition, David has faced his own challenges with hearing impairment and long-term recovery into sobriety. This has made him a man with a knowing heart, ready to put his intelligent, inquisitive and creative mind to work. He has chosen bronze, stone, clay, and predominantly wood, as his mediums.
David’s portfolio represents all of nature. A leaf tossed in the wind, an eagle ready to soar, an orator willing to speak, and the nuance of an abstract shape that allows the observer’s mind to wander and explore. Bundling themes for his Totem Pole work reflect his extreme ingenuity, dexterity, and professional focus. His creativity has recently been found in an eight-piece larger-than-life sculpture installation called “The Journey”. Any person who has made a difficult decision to walk away from a hardship – an immigrant, a refugee, someone who has left behind cycles of addiction and violence, an abused and overworked front line worker, an adult child floundering/fleeing from a dysfunctional family, or from any number of realities – will immediately empathize with each of the emotional states represented by these figures. Using old growth cedar utility poles donated by a Cleveland, Ohio utility company, David has fashioned elements of this installation to reflect emotional intensity. The piece depicts changes, the evolution of a person who has successfully emerged, grown, and triumphed from a painful and destructive past.
David became acutely aware of people living with daily subsistence issues during his six years of teaching and serving the people of Haiti. He witnessed depravity, a bare existence, extreme hunger, a need for shelter – all while floundering in a world that has honestly forgotten their country. Yet it was in David’s time working and teaching with these Haitians that David came to know the joy of simplicity, of learning something new. He witnessed people living while not knowing where a next meal might be found and of reverence to the Almighty. He observed a unique ability to watch and join others to see “life” and “joy” in learning how to sculpt – not just with various materials but also in developing a sense of miraculous kindness for oneself and others. This extreme respect for another person who has “survived” has catapulted David into his “The Journey” project.
Awards & Recognition
Meritorious Volunteer
Selected top Volunteer for art teaching and humanitarian work in Thomassin, Hatin by the Functional Literacy Ministry at their annual banquet in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, 2017
Best Sculpture
Best sculpture in juried show award for "Arching" in Valley Art Center Juried Show, November 2015.
Prestigious Residence
Selected into prestigious residence program by Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont for 2020 residency
Best
Artist
Selected best artist in show at Art By the Falls June 2015 among 120 other artists
First
Place
First place award for "Food" November 2020 Valley Art Center juried show. An individual figure from 8 piece grouping.
Furniture, Antiques and Architectural Restorations
David is also highly skilled and morally committed to the preservation of historic properties, their construction techniques and the furniture/fixtures therein. For 18 years David has been the Senior Restoration Consultant for the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio. Similarly, David served in a similar capacity for historic Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio. David has skillfully brought the highest quality of fine room restoration, antique repair, and furniture reproduction skills together to create a sense of timelessness for the visitor/observer.
David’s sense of humanitarian commitment and love of teaching has brought him to K-12 classrooms, adult teaching forums and internationally to the economically depressed country of Haiti. In pursuit of all such work he has also received numerous local, regional and national awards. Finally, David is an active member of the International Sculpture Center
He is eager to speak to you about his current and future work!
-Michelangelo
The Mission of D & L Sculpture Arts is:
“The pursuit of Human Harmony and Healing through the use of artistic design and expression."
What people are saying:
David's vision is clear, and the story he tells through his sculptures is important. His sensitive and thoughtful approach to materials, design, models, environment, and artistic process creates a synergy for a body of work that (as it reveals itself) will connect deeply with viewers who journey alongside his subject. His work of many years feels even more urgent as we enter a post-pandemic era, defined by emotional and societal challenges requiring compassion and a steady path forward.
"As from the slippery depths of the ocean, it was a high school project that birthed this sculptor's first piece: a flashy, fish-scaled, saw-toothed shark. This success led to a life-long passion for sculpting animals, humans, and organic shapes. His desire to examine, intuit and share with the world, sculpted details, accurately rendered of daily seen and oft not-seen-images beyond the imagination.
David F. Shankland, Award Winning Sculptor and Humanitarian has shared with the world for many decades, his artistry, workmanship as a solo performer and as a teacher to all. His love of life and the precious people who have studied under him, admired him from afar and taken joy in the abundance of his portfolio - know of his gifts beyond measure. David's most recent eight (8) larger-than-life-size sculptural installation entitled "The Journey': speaks to any of us whose life journey has required a gamble down an unexpected road, in order to survive and thrive. It has been a grand joy to know firsthand, to watch this artist's metamorphosis and to see that everything he touches - leaves the world a better place."
David F. Shankland came to our art center with an open heart, an open mind, and a passion to share what he loves: the art of sculpting! He was the consummate art instructor in his craft, eager to connect to every student in an underserved community center summer camp, to adults revisiting a memory of what it means to shape a three-dimensional work of art, David engaged his students with skill, support, patience, and humor, creating a sense of community in his classroom. David also encouraged students to share their work, leading by example as he entered many of our exhibits and annual outdoor art festivals where his work garnered several awards.
"David F. Shankland has been doing exceptional work for Stan Hywet Hall & Garden's Collections Department for over 18 years. David takes the time to understand our requirements and designs exactly what we need. He's done repairs on antique furniture that are impossible to see once completed. He has, for instance, recreated a 16th century oak Deacon's bench with intricate carving. He resurrected the severely water damaged game room in the manor house with energy, tenacity and beauty.
David has taken the Gate Lodge's late 1930's era room back to its original worn and welcome patina. In David's work, it would be impossible to tell which is new if it weren't for the large cracks in the original! He has built custom exhibit cases and pedestals, custom cabinets and shelving for storage area.
These are just a few examples of the many projects David has been involved with. When I have a project involving wood, David is the first person I call! His work is always of the highest quality!"
First place award for "Food" November 2020 Valley Art Center juried show. An individual figure from 8 piece grouping.
David, himself a wood sculptor, frequently earns "Best in Show" in the art exhibits that he enters.
David's particular traits include the inspirations to and subsequent dedication to tackle and complete major, multi-year sculpting projects, which prove to be extremely, personally meaningful to all viewers.
David Shankland is not just a most capable, creative and daring sculptor, he is also an unusually fine human being. Within this small corner of the world and among a proportionate number of artists, writers and world travelers, there is local recognition of David as a massively talented and productive sculptor in the midst. When I first saw his "Curious Quahog': I knew this was a piece that carried a universal language. As an artist, teacher and neighbor, David is also well-known for his generosity of spirit so beyond the norm that he may well be considered selfless. His work is stunning, finely crafted and speaks to all who find themselves a lucky spectator.