Madeline Wiener (sculptor) makes her home in Denver, Colorado and has been creating contemporary abstract figures in stone since studying at The New York School of Visual Arts. A visit to Italy, along with many hours spent sketching sculptures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, inspired Madeline’s sculptural journey. As the Founder and Director of The Marble Institute of Colorado, Madeline has remained intent on finding new and expressive ways to create her abstract figurative stone sculptures and share her passion through teaching. Her series of “Bench People” can be found in public places throughout the United States and in other countries. Working trips to far-away places like Scotland and India provided the opportunity to create site-specific, monumental public installations and fulfill Madeline’s dream of using art to foster cultural exchange. Her creation of The Marble Institute’s well-known MARBLE/marble Symposium has provided a venue for cultural exchanges between artists from different countries and varying disciplines for 30 years.

Madeline was selected to join the Church Street Heritage public art team through a national call for sculptors facilitated by the Anderson Arts Center. A jury of professionals was empaneled to make the selection from the more than 30 artists who applied from across the country – including one from Spain. The jurors and the team were charmed by Madeline’s huggable, marble, bench people and commissioned her to create original pieces as part of the Church Street art installation. Madeline was equally charmed by the team and the vision for public art in the City of Anderson. She has been honored to lend her talent to help tell this important story