Sculptor of Childhood Wonder

In the heart of downtown Abilene, bronze sculptures of beloved children’s book characters greet visitors at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden. Stuart Little navigates his tiny canoe, dinosaurs prepare for bedtime, and Charlotte spins her web beside a contemplative Wilbur.

Behind each life-sized figure stands the artistic vision of Steven Neves, a Hardin-Simmons University art professor whose work has helped transform Abilene into the Storybook Capital of America.

Steven with the 2019 CALF art installation Mr. Tiger, a bronze casting by Geoff Broderick and Schaefer Art Bronze, inspired by Peter Brown’s book Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.

The Artist Behind the Stories

Neves’ artistic journey began in childhood with simple tools.

“In my earliest memories, I enjoyed and excelled at drawing with crayons and sculpting with Play-Doh,” he said. “Both of my parents encouraged me. My father was a model for me as he was an art teacher and football coach.”

This early foundation in both art and education would prove prophetic, shaping a career that seamlessly blends artistic excellence with passionate teaching.

Neves earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2000 and his master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Houston in 2004. His artistic journey has led him to create what may be the largest collection of public storybook sculptures of its kind in the United States.

A Partnership With Abilene’s Literary Vision

The collaboration that would define much of Neves’ public artistic legacy began with a single sculpture.

“Lynn Barnett, vice president of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, approached me to create Sanderson Mansnoozie for the 2014 Children’s Art and Literacy Festival,” Neves said. “I was immediately commissioned to produce the rest of the Guardians of Childhood sculptures that same year. I’ve been creating more each year.”

What started as a single commission has evolved into an ongoing partnership that introduces new literary characters to Abilene’s landscape each year.

“The Storybook Sculpture project grew organically,” Neves said. “I embraced the project with great enthusiasm.”

Each year during the festival known as CALF, a new life-sized sculpture is added to the storybook garden, creating an ever-growing outdoor library of three-dimensional stories.

The Creative Process

The transformation of beloved book illustrations into public sculptures requires careful collaboration and artistic sensitivity.

Steven Neves (R) poses for a photo with featured CALF artist Brian Lies. Brian is an American author and illustrator of children’s books. His works include his 2019 Caldecott Honor-winning picture book The Rough Patch and his NY Times bestselling bat series, which includes Bats at the Beach, Bats at the Library, Bats at the Ballgame, and Bats in the Band.

“The illustrator is selected through coordination with the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature and the cultural affairs council,” Neves said. “Once selected, we review the illustrator’s character designs for the one most suitable for our project. During this process, we engage the illustrator for input as to which specific illustration would work best. I work with the illustrators during the sculpting process to capture the key qualities of the character.”

This collaborative approach ensures that each sculpture maintains the integrity of the original artwork while successfully translating two-dimensional illustrations into three-dimensional bronze forms that can withstand the elements and the test of time.

When asked about his favorite pieces, Neves said he finds it difficult to choose.

“That’s hard to say, as I like each one,” he said. “I think that Otis and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight are the most impressive in terms of scale and complexity.”

Art, Family, and Community Impact

The personal significance of the Storybook Garden project extends beyond professional achievement for Neves.

“I am extremely grateful that I have been able to enjoy this worthwhile endeavor,” he said. “My own kids grew up enjoying these sculptures as I worked on them at home. They even did some sculpting on the projects themselves. Knowing that other kids will enjoy these works for decades to come produces a warm sense of accomplishment in my heart.”

This personal connection to the work reinforces its broader community impact.

“Occasionally, I will take a detour on my morning commute to drive by the garden,” Neves said. “I am always encouraged to see people wandering the beautiful space and enjoying my work. I hope it continues to inspire kids to read and to create.”

Teaching and Creating at HSU

The symbiotic relationship between Neves’ teaching and artistic practice has enriched both aspects of his career.

“During the past 20 years, my students have enriched my artistic abilities by pursuing their own,” he said. “Helping them achieve their own creative visions energizes and inspires me to continue creating my own.”

This mutual enrichment reflects the unique advantages of working at an institution like Hardin-Simmons.

“I am honored to work at a university with so many other talented experts in their own fields who embody the love of Christ,” Neves said. “I have received great encouragement from my peers, students, and the administration of HSU. I’ve even been fortunate enough to create commissioned work for our lovely campus.”

Faith, Art, and Calling

This integration of faith and artistry informs his perspective on the deeper purpose of his work.

“Our worldview is formulated around the structures of stories and symbols,” he said. “The characters of these tales serve as proxies for our own adventures and models for our own decision-making. Sculptures are essentially permanent guides within a changing culture.”

Neves’ sculptures serve multiple purposes beyond mere decoration.

“I hope that kids realize that they are capable of great things,” he said about his aspirations for young visitors to the garden. “I hope they embrace their imaginations and perfect their natural abilities to serve God.”

This hope extends to his students as well, where the unique environment of Hardin-Simmons plays a crucial role.

“The HSU art department is a small, closely knit group which encourages, inspires, and holds each other accountable,” Neves said.

The lasting impact of Steven Neves’ work extends beyond the immediate visual appeal of his sculptures. Each piece in the Storybook Garden represents a bridge between the world of imagination and physical reality, between the classroom and the community, between artistic vision and public engagement.

As Abilene continues to grow its collection of storybook sculptures, adding new pieces each year during CALF, Neves’ ongoing contribution helps cement the city’s reputation as a unique destination where literature comes to life. The project demonstrates how thoughtful partnerships between universities, artists, and communities can create something larger than any single institution could achieve alone.