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Hey all you Bearkats! It’s been a while since we all walked the stage back in ‘87. Those truly were some of the very best memories I have, and hopefully for you too.
Obviously, you see that I set up this GoFundMe to raise some money, and you may be asking yourself, “Why only $250? Surely Bill has a friend or relative that could help him out.” Yes, I’m asking for money, but I would like for you to think of it as a way of standing together as fellow Bearkats and saying, here’s my friend Bill, and I’m supporting him. Sound cheesy? Let me explain what the money is to be used for, and maybe you’ll understand my thinking better.
Over the past few years, I have committed to creating and finding out what I am capable of as a sculptor. I've sold some sculptures and had some pretty cool opportunities. One of those opportunities began a few months ago when I was asked to participate in ArtPort 2025 and create a sculpture to be displayed at the Shreveport Regional Airport. ArtPort is an exhibition that ran from the early ‘90s through 2015, and it was a great way to showcase local and regional artists by displaying artwork throughout the terminals and public spaces.
One of the conditions of my participation is to find a business or organization that will sponsor me. My sponsor will be recognized on signage with my sculpture and also in social media and other places. I want to have a sponsor that I feel associated with and have a connection to. What could be better than having your friends support you?
I'm not looking for a small number of people to fund the entire goal. I would rather see 25 people give $10 each or 50 donate $5 each. To me, that would be much more meaningful. So if you feel inclined, I ask that you give a small amount and spread the word to our classmates.
I need to give a special thank you to Larry Blackwell, who remembered and recommended me to the ArtPort selection committee, so thank you, Larry! For those who do not know, Larry moved back to the Shreveport area a couple of years ago and is the Director of Airports at Shreveport Regional and the Downtown Shreveport Airport.
ArtPort has a Facebook page if you would like more information, and opening night for the event is June 5th from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the airport. I would love to see you there!
Feel free to skip the next part if you’re ready to donate.
What about the sculpture? What will it look like? Bear with me a moment while I tell you about what inspired and influenced the sculpture I am creating.
The theme for Artport ‘25 is “In Southern Dimension” featuring local culture, landmarks, etc.. My connection to the Shreveport area is a very personal bond to Barksdale AFB.
Being an Air Force brat instilled a great love of aviation and a deep respect for the service members that make it possible for us to live in this beautiful, free country as well as fly the most incredible aircraft in the world. My father, step-father and grandfather were all pilots in the Air Force.
The other inspiration is a beautiful poem, “High Flight” written by a young WWII pilot. It is sometimes read at memorial services for military airmen and it was included at my grandfather’s service. The poem is full of imagery of the open sky and the feelings of freedom and happiness.
So how do you put those feelings and memories together into a physical form? It’s not easy as you can imagine. My approach is to create something visually that sparks those emotions for me. The sculpture is carved from two blocks of marble and incorporates stainless steel components that transition from the marble down to the base. It will be approximately 60” tall and 14” in diameter.
Ok, so what does it look like? Have you been to an Airshow where the plane goes completely vertical, almost disappears because it’s so high and as it hits the apex, it rolls over and starts to flop around as it falls before regaining control? That is basically what the sculpture mimics. The sculpture looks like the smoke trail left behind by the airplane.
Follow my Facebook page, Bill Usher Sculpture or on Instagram billusher_sculpture for updates on my work.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through the footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
John Gillespie McGee Jr (1922–1941) was an American spitfire pilot who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. He died in a midair collision over Tangmere, Sussex in 1941. He was nineteen years old.