“David’s work is now coming full circle. The characters, and the symbols, he has created over the years, in his sculpture, drawings, and paintings, have culminated in his grandest vision. He has created in concept, drawings, and small-scale models, a monument to people, place, and time. The Carousel, by David Stoltz, is rich in meaning and universal quality. It is timeless, representing our collective past, present, and future. His vision is to bring people together, from across the street, and from across the world, in meditation, meaning, and fun.”

–Renée Rey Art Critic

David Stoltz is an American sculptor renowned for his dynamic abstract steel sculptures and intricate drawings. His artistic journey began with formal training at the Art Students League of New York (1963–1965), where he studied sculpture and drawing under John Hovannes and José DeCreeft, earning a Merit Scholarship. He further honed his skills at Skowhegan where he was the first recipient of the William Zorach scholarship. He continued studies at the Pratt Institute’s Center for Contemporary Graphics (1966–1968), studying with notable artists such as Luis Cemmetzer, Michael Ponce de Leon, and Gabor Peterdi, supported by a Pratt Scholarship. Additionally, Stoltz apprenticed with esteemed sculptor William Zorach from 1965 to 1969, a mentorship that significantly influenced his artistic development.

Throughout his career, Stoltz has received numerous accolades, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a fellowship from the Charles Atkins Securities Group. He exhibited at prestigious institutions including the St. Louis Art Museum, Charles Cowles Gallery, Ileana Sonnabend Gallery, The Carnegie Mellon Institute, The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, Hans Meyer in Germany, Rotterdam Kunststichting in Holland, the Basel Art Fair in Switzerland, and Baudoin Lebon Gallery and the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris in France.

Stoltz’s sculptures are characterized by their abstract forms and dynamic use of materials, primarily steel, but also bronze, wood, and stained glass.

His work often explores the transition from abstraction to the pictorial, with recurring characters that embody an abstract narrative journey through space. Notable series include “Utica I” and “Utica II,” where these characters first emerged, and “Baby Charlie,” a metaphorical figure representing the journey of all his characters.

In addition to his sculptural work, Stoltz has created public art installations and received commissions for outdoor sculptures, including a 12-foot painted ceiling and wall installation for a children’s room in New York City (2007) and an 11-foot stainless steel sculpture for the Sagamore Hotel in Miami Beach (2004). Stoltz’s art is held in numerous public and private collections, including the St. Louis Art Museum, the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Australian National Museum, the Clark Institute, and the Williams College Art Museum. His contributions to the art world extend beyond his creations; he has lectured at various institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, Columbia University, and Yale University.

Continuing to evolve his artistic practice, Stoltz’s recent projects include “A Ride On The Carousel” a large sculpture featuring characters he has developed over decades, symbolizing a journey on and around the carousel of life.

David Stoltz’s enduring commitment to exploring abstract forms and narratives through diverse materials has solidified his reputation as a significant figure in contemporary American sculpture.