Lori Hough
Sculptor
info@lorihough.com
(231) 924-8056

Growing up in rural west Michigan in an artistic family set the grounds for Lori Hough's love for animals, artistic endeavors and style. Initially going to college for an art degree, her first class in zoology (a basic requirement at that time) at Grand Rapids Junior College turned her major to the study of animals.

After going on to receive a Bachelor's of Science in zoology at Michigan State University, Lori worked seasonal jobs as a wildlife technican. She captured, radio collared, tracked, and gathered various data on animals such as black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and fish. These positions allowed her more up-close contact with the animals she had grown to admire.

Working as a biologist aboard foreign fishing boats in the Berring Sea, Hough's interest in wildlife and art began to merge. In her spare time between sampling catches, she began fashioning papier mache animals. In 1988, what began as a hobby became a full time occupation.

Informed and inspired by her background in zoology, Hough's work features wild, domestic, extinct and fictional animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Her pieces vary in size and scale ranging from life-sized mice and elephants, to tabletop sized giraffes, to an over-sized frog and fish. But no matter the size, Hough's sculptures capture the essence and behaviors displayed by animals in real life (or sometimes imagined).

Hough's skill at creating papier mache sculpture goes beyond simply sculpting and painting. Instead her specialized techniques turn forms into something more, bringing life to her animal sculptures. She does this through use of strong gestural poses which form interesting compositions, employing advanced technical skill in creating armatures, and finishing the sculptures with an eye for detail. In addition to papier mache, Hough creates works in mediums of bronze, ferro-concrete, and welded steel.


PUBLIC & CORPORATE COMMISSIONS (*denote public art)
  • Byrne Electrical, 2005 and 2010, Rockford, MI
  • *Tamarac Center for Health and Well-Being, 2009, Fremont, MI
  • *Yahaba Friendship City Program Public Art Exchange Project, 2007, Yahaba, Japan
  • *John Ball Zoo, 1993-2006, Grand Rapids, MI
  • *Raven Hill Discovery Center, 2004, East Jordan, MI
  • *City of Newaygo, 2005, Newaygo, MI
  • *Isabella Bank and Trust, 2003, Mt. Pleasant, MI
  • The Fox Room, 1997-2005, Califon, NJ
  • *Grand Rapids Community College, 2000, Grand Rapids, MI
  • Tiffany & Co., 1992-1998, Chicago, IL
  • *Woodland Shopping Center, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1997, Grand Rapids, MI
  • *Grand Valley State University - Channel 35, 1996, Allendale, MI
  • *Central Park Conservancy, 1996, New York, NY
  • U.S.F.S., Lewis & Clark National Forest, 1994, Great Falls, MT

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

In hundreds of private collections throughout the U.S., as well as international collections in Great Britain, Poland, Japan and Australia.


EXHIBITIONS
  • 31st West Michigan Regional Arts Competition, 2017, Lowell, MI, group exhibition
  • Muskegon Museum of Art "Color of Beer" Exhibit, 2016, Muskegon, MI, invitation group exhibition
  • Lowell Arts Council "Africa" Exhibit, 2015, Lowell, MI, group exhibition
  • Muskegon Museum of Art 86th Regional Exhibition, 2015, Muskegon, MI, juried group exhibition
  • 28th West Michigan Regional Arts Competition, 2014, Lowell, MI, group exhibition
  • 10 Year Retrospective Exhibit and Celebration, 2013, Forest Hills Performing Art Center, Ada, MI, group exhibition
  • Muskegon Museum of Art 85th Regional Exhibition, 2013, Muskegon, MI, juried group exhibition
  • 27th West Michigan Regional Arts Competition, 2013, Lowell, MI, group exhibition
  • The Arts Place, 2013, Fremont, MI, solo exhibition
  • Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum Sculpture Exhibition, 2012, Saginaw, MI, regional biennial juried exhibition
  • ArtPrize, 2011, Huntington Bank, Grand Rapids, MI, international exhibition and competition
  • Nuveen Community Center for the Arts Farm Fresh Exhibit, 2011, White Lake, MI, group show
  • Muskegon Museum of Art 83rd Regional Exhibition, 2011, Muskegon, MI, juried group exhibition
  • ArtPrize, 2010, Huntington Bank, Grand Rapids, MI, international exhibition and competition
  • Muskegon Museum of Art 80th Regional Exhibition, 2008, Muskegon, MI, juried group exhibition
  • NCCA Regional Art Competition and Exhibition, 2008, Fremont, MI, juried group show
  • Keeler Gallery, 2007, Grand Rapids, MI, solo exhibition
  • Forest Hills Performing Arts Center, 2006, Ada, MI, solo exhibition
  • The Arts Place, 2002, Fremont, MI, solo exhibition


HONORS AND AWARDS
  • Best in Sculpture, 2016, Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, St. Joseph, MI
  • First Place in Sculpture, 2016, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fine Arts Fair, Kalamazoo, MI
  • Sponsored Purchase Award, 2015, Muskegon Museum of Art 87th Regional Exhibition, Muskegon, MI
  • First Place in Sculpture, 2014, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fine Arts Fair, Kalamazoo, MI
  • Best of Category - Sculpture, 2013, South Haven Art Fair, South Haven, MI
  • Jurors Recognition Award, 2013, West Michigan Regional Arts Competition, 2013, Lowell, MI
  • Best in Show, 2011, Nuveen Community Center for the Arts Farm Fresh Exhibit, White Lake, MI
  • Top 50 (out of 1713 artists), 2010, ArtPrize (an international public art competition), Grand Rapids, MI
  • First Place in Sculpture, 2009 & 2010, Newaygo County Council for the Arts Fine Arts Festival, Fremont, MI
  • First Place in Sculpture, 2009, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fine Arts Fair, Kalamazoo, MI
  • First Place, 2008, Newaygo County Council for the Arts Regional Art Competition and Exhibition, Fremont, MI


ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE (* denotes public art)
  • Forest Hill Performing Arts Center, 2006, Ada, MI
  • *Raven Hills Discovery Center, 2005, East Jordan, MI
  • *Orchard Hills Elementary School, 2003, Belding Public Schools, Belding, MI
  • *Woodview Elementary School, 2002, Belding Public Schools, Belding, MI


ART FAIRS EXHIBITED AT:
  • Kalamazoo Institute of Art Fair (June) - Kalamazoo, MI
  • NCCA Fine Arts Festival (June) - Fremont, MI
  • Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival (June) - Grand Rapids, MI
  • South Haven Art Fair (July) - South Haven, MI
  • Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff (July) - St. Joseph, MI
  • Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair (August) - Charlevoix, MI
  • Ghoultide Gathering (October) - Chelsea, MI
  • Art in the Box (November) - Fremont, MI
  • Art Makers Sale (December) - Grand Rapids, MI
  • Current exhibition schedule upon request.