Résumé

Anthony J. Obara Jr., who attended art classes at the Delaware Art Museum as a child, began sculpting in 1972 at the age of 24. Appreciating Fredrick Remington’s genius for capturing a moment and Charles Russell’s direct approach to interpreting cowboys in action with nature, Obara developed his own style, remaining true to each animal’s spirit and appearance in its natural habitat.

Memberships:

Salmagundi Club, New York, New York
The National Arts Club, New York, New York
Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Arts Club of Washington, Washington, D.C.
National Sculpture Society, New York, New York
African Wildlife Foundation, Washington, D.C., Advisory Council (1984-1987)
International Game Fish Association,
Diana, FL (Life Member)
Angler's Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Atlantic Salmon Federation, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Greenwich, Connecticut
The Explorers Club , New York, New York
Fellow
E .C. Rolex Artist In Residence
Chairman, Philadelphia Chapter
Audubon Artists Society, New York, New York
Chester County Special Deputy Sheriff (1995-2002)
Ask Art Bluebook

Awards:

Salmagundi Club: First Place, Annual Members Show, 1995
Salmagundi Club: First Place, Summer Members Show, 1995
Arts Club of Washington: First Place, Members Show, 1995
The National Arts Club: First Place, 99th Annual Members Show, 1997
Salmagundi Club: First Place, Annual Members Show, 1997
The Marlin Perkins / Jim Fowler Lifetime Artist-in-Residence Award, Saint Louis Zoo, 2013
Rolex Artist in Residence of The Explorers Club, 2014

Obara’s works are or have been displayed in the following museums and government and corporate office buildings:

Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington, Delaware
National Museum of Sporting Art, Cincinnati, Ohio
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
The Oval Office, The White House
Salmagundi Club, New York, New York
African Wildlife Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Headley-Whitney Museum, Lexington, Kentucky
Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware
The Reagan Library, Simi Valley, California
Bush Presidential Library and Museum, College Station, Texas
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Greenwich, Connecticut
International Game Fish Foundation, Dania Beach, Florida
Coca-Cola Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia
World Wildlife Fund, Gland, Switzerland
Zoological Society of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, Kansas
Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.
Franklin Mint Museum, Franklin Center, Pennsylvania
National Wildlife Federation, Reston, Virginia
Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri
and many others

In addition, Obara’s sculptures are held privately in collections world wide:

His Majesty King Fahd, Saudi Arabia
Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, England
Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Monaco
Her Grand Ducal Highness, Princess Charlotte of Luxembourg
Windsor Castle, England
Sandringham Estate, England
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace, England
His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, Buckingham Palace, England
His Majesty, King Juan Carlos I, Barcelona, Spain
Joseph Engle (USAF ret.), former NASA Astronaut (this bronze was the first to go into space in 1985 on STS 51 I and traveled 18½ million nautical miles)
H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army General (Ret.)
Mr. and Mrs. James Stewart
Parker Rockefeller
F. Warrington Gillet
and many others

Russell W. Peterson
Former President, National Audubon Society
Former Governor, State of Delaware

“Mr. Obara's life-like wildlife bronzes are an excellent example of the great versatility of this ancient medium. His use of color and texture is remarkable, and particularly appealing in his birds”.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

“Brilliant interpreter of the beauty of our friends—the marine mammals.”

David M. Niles
Assistant Curator, Delaware Museum of Natural History

“Obara creates masterpieces. The phenomenon is marvelous to witness and seems to defy possibility, but the results speak eloquently of A. J. Obara's talents. He is a wildlife artist of unique stature.”

Jim Fowler
Former President, Honorary Chairman, The Explorers Club
Host, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom

“Buddy's incredible ability to capture the image of nature in bronze contribute greatly to our respect and admiration of our natural world.”

Vikram H. Dewan
President and CEO, Philadelphia Zoological Society

" Mr. Obara, The Philadelphia Zoo is honored and proud to have your work as part of our wonderful collection of animal sculptures. We greatly value the contribution it makes to both the visitor experience at the Zoo and our education mission."

Lorie Kanarth
Former President, The Explorers Club

"It is through art that we gain the most intimate portraits of nature's splendor. Anyone who has had the chance to experience your work is struck by its force and elegance."