Market pressure forcing move
CHENEY – An internationally known sculptor will be closing his studio soon as he prepares to move to Wenatchee.
He also has a project in the works that would bring a piece of his art to Liberty Lake, but market pressure and material expenses make these projects difficult.
Warrington explained it is affecting his ability to land current jobs.
"I have a potential client in Liberty Lake that is looking at a large bronze sculpture install," Warrington said. "Well, I just called, and it will cost $22,500 for 1,000 pounds of the metal."
Warrington said there is a big difference in the art market now as compared to when he got started.
Richard Warrington, Owner of Warrington Studios said he has been into art since 1966, when he studied at Eastern Washington University.
During his time in college, he was exposed to painting more than sculpture as an art form, but that isn't where his heart was set.
"The class was all about the instructor's paintings, and I was looking for some discipline," Warrington said. "I eventually got involved with a guy in advertising that took me under his wing and changed my path."
Warrington also spent about a year working in Los Angeles, but due to a family issue he had to move back to eastern Washington.
"My dad broke or did something to his leg, and his leg was shrinking," Warrington said. "So, I had to fly back up here because the family owned a furniture store in Wilbur."
He has been a sculptor since 1974 when his career in commissioned work began. At that time, he created a piece for the 1974 World's Fair in Spokane.
Taking the path of a corporate sculptor, Warrington decided he wanted to focus on commissioning larger pieces of art for companies, organizations, municipalities and other installations and displays.
He says his inspiration and motivation as an artist come as an "expression of his spiritual, emotional and aesthetic response to his experiences."
Warrington's work has been displayed in multiple cities across the country, and has even reached four countries internationally. Recently, however, changes in the art market have changed his outlook.
"There isn't really a market for these sculptures here anymore," Warrington said. "But I definitely think there is a better market in Wenatchee."
"Plus in Wenatchee, I can go participate in the Seattle market," he added.
Other issues have put pressure on the industry as well, such as material costs and logistics.
"I mean if someone approaches me about a significant project," Warrington said. "Sometimes the material cost alone can make potential clients shy away from having an installation done."
"There's just not a lot of money going around for contemporary art," he added.
Moving to an area that brings more opportunities to reach bigger clientele is what Warrington aims to do, but he still wants to retain some anonymity.
"I just want to continue to have a nice quiet space I can still produce art," Warrington said. "And maybe I can reach even more people in more cities."
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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