2007 Governors Arts Awards

Arts Education Award
To be created by Emile Birch, Canaan

Emile Birch is a professional sculptor who lives in Canaan His public artworks have been commissioned by many businesses and communities throughout New Hampshire. His most recent sculptures include: The Eternal Shield, commissioned by the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Committee, which was the first sculpture in over 100 years to be sited on the State House grounds in Concord; and his bronze sculpture of Pollyanna for the community of Littleton.

Birch’s sculptures and figurative reliefs include mathematical abstractions proportioned to the classical “golden ratio.” Birch has exhibited his sculptures in galleries and at festivals throughout New England. He has served as the director of visual arts for First Night New Hampshire in Concord for many years, and as art director of the Kearsarge Arts Theatre in New London. He has extensive experience as an artist-in-residence in schools and communities throughout the state. Birch has been a member of the NH Artist Roster of the State Arts Council for many years.