Sculptor and former U.S. Army Captain Robert Eccleston, from Loveland, will talk about his goals to capture a split second of a subject by taking the form past its normal physical limitations, capturing the true drama of the moment and educating the viewer by instilling a sense of history pertaining to his sculptures.
Rob will also share his most recent experience, creating The Raptors portion for the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, which was dedicated 24 October 2026 on The National Mall, Washington, D.C. The Memorial commemorates and honors members of the Armed Forces who served in support of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
Robert Eccleston served as an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Army. Assigned to the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School, he taught military mountaineering and survival skills to all branches of the U.S. Military as well as members of the British S.A.S, Australian and Canadian Army. During his career in the U.S. Army, CPT. Eccleston traveled to Northern Italy, Ecuador, Australia, and throughout the United States teaching military mountaineering, gaining valuable experience from those he trained. Eccleston studied sculpture in his spare time and decided to pursue a career as a sculptor in 1993. Eccleston continued to study and hone his skills as a sculptor for five years, and in 1998 Eccleston focused his sights on creating public art. It was his profound respect for those with whom he served in the military that lead him to create memorials honoring the men and women who proudly serve their country and communities. For the past 16 years, Eccleston has specialized in creating sculptures for veterans and civic memorials and has worked on projects with budgets exceeding $1 million dollars.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Syracuse University, Bachelor of Industrial Design, 1987.
- Captain, U.S. Army Infantry, Mountain Warfare School, 1987-1993.
- Studied under the sculptor Fritz White, Loveland, CO, 1994.
- Worked for Frank C. Gaylord, Sculptor of the Korean War Memorial, 1997.
- Owner/Operator Cloudsplitter Studio 1998 - present.
- 16 years experience as a team member working with Architects, Engineers, and Landscape Architects.
- 14 public art sculptures located in eight states.
COMMISSIONS:
- National Desert Storm Memorial, Washington D.C, 2019-Present
- SFC Randall Shughart Memorial, Carlisle, PA, 2019-Present
- Faces of Freedom Memorial, Yountville, CA, 2018
- Senator Alden Smith Memorial, Community Legends Project, Grand Rapids, MI, 2016-17
- Monument to a Miracle, Tribute to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Lake Placid, NY 2015-
- West Pennsboro Veterans Memorial Bas-Reliefs West Pennsboro Township, PA, 2014-2023
- 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Memorial, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, VA, 2013
- St. Agnes Catholic Church Bronze Altar, Lake Placid, NY, 2012-2013
- SFC Randall Shughart Memorial, West Pennsboro Township, PA, 2011
- Solon Veterans Memorial, Solon, OH 2010
- 5th Marine Division Memorial, National Museum of Marine Corps, Triangle, VA, 2009
- Trumbell County Veterans Memorial, Warren, OH, 2008
- Art Devlin Memorial, Lake Placid, NY, 2007
- 10th Mountain Division Memorial, Breckenridge, CO, 2003
- Brazos Valley Veterans’ Memorial, College Station, TX, 2002
- Bolton Veterans Memorial, Bolton Landing, NY, 2000
- New York State WWII Memorial, Albany, NY, 1999
- New York State Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial, Albany, NY, 1998
- Thomas Jefferson Monument, Hofstra University, NY,