Sandra Van Zandt

Talala, Oklahoma

Originally from Claremore, Oklahoma, Sandra’s artistic talent was impressive enough to earn her a scholarship to study art at Missouri’s Cottey College. She established her reputation with sculptures of America’s symbol, the bald eagle, which can be found in cities, museums and both corporate and private art collections throughout the United States.

She was recently commissioned to sculpt several historic monuments, one of which was “The Spirit of Naval Aviation,” a salute to all naval aviators in the 20th century. This heroic sized sculpture was unveiled at the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and permanently enshrined at the entrance of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.

Presently she is working on “The Will Rogers Story,” a series of six life-size monuments depicting the life of Oklahoma’s favorite son, Will Rogers, which will be placed throughout his hometown of Claremore, Oklahoma. To her, these commissions represent the supreme challenge because she has to capture an important moment in time and bring the subject to life. She states, “In this important instance, it becomes a challenge instead of a commission.”