David Deming is a nationally recognized contemporary American sculptor from Cleveland, Ohio. Deming is known for his large classic portrait sculptures of corporate and political leaders, as well as professional athletes.
Deming grew up in Lakewood and attended Lakewood High. He immersed himself in both sports, particularly wrestling and track, as well as art. After high school, he went on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) in 1967, and his Master’s of Fine Arts from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1970.
Deming has taught at numerous universities, including The University of Texas at Austin. He taught sculpture and drawing at the university for 26 years, while also serving as the Department Chair of Art and Art History and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. During his years in Texas, Deming built a strong reputation as a sculptor, working throughout the United States and other countries such as Japan and Italy.
After being named the president of the CIA, he returned to his hometown in 1998. After 12 years as the president of CIA, Deming retired in 2010, dedicating himself full time to his studio. He is quoted as saying, “Even though I was teaching, I was always motivated to be in the studio, producing my own art work.”
Most of his sculptures range from garden size to large outdoor abstractions, having one of his outdoor works included in “American Sculpture Exhibition” at the White House in the First Lady’s Garden.
Deming continues to sculpt anywhere from 10 to 12 hours a day at his studio on Athens Avenue in Lakewood.
Deming's work resides in the collection of numerous museums, collections, while also receiving many important commissions, including busts, plaques and medals, and has written three important books on sculpture. Deming has not only won the Award of Honor, Austin Chapter of the American Institute of ArchitectsHe, he has exhibited his sculpture in over 100 competitive and invitational exhibitions nationally and internationally with over 50 one and two-person exhibitions.
His sculpture is in over 100 public and private collections including:
The Columbus Museum of Art (Ohio)
The Arkansas Art Center (Little Rock)
The San Antonio Museum of Art (Texas)
Utah State University (Logan)
The David E. Davis Sculpture Park (Cleveland)
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland)
Ashland University (Ohio)
