Have you ever walked past those dancing bronze figures outside the Herberger Theater in Phoenix? Those beautiful, life-sized nude sculptures tell a story. They're the work of John Henry Waddell, an Arizona artist whose passion for the human form shaped our city's landscape.
Born on Valentine's Day in 1921, Waddell's life was as remarkable as his art. You might be surprised to learn he began teaching art to adults when he was just 16 years old! His early start showed a natural talent that would only grow stronger throughout his nearly century-long life.
The Man Behind the Bronze
Waddell's journey wasn't a straight path to artistic fame. After serving in the U.S. Army, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. There, he met Ruth Holland, who would become his wife, muse, and artistic partner for life. You can see Ruth's influence in many of his works, as she often modeled for his sculptures and paintings.
The couple eventually made their way to Arizona, where Waddell taught at Arizona State University. But teaching wasn't his ultimate calling. At just 40 years old, he retired from teaching to pursue his own art full-time. You might call it an early retirement, but for Waddell, it was just the beginning of his most productive years.
In 1971, the Waddells settled in the Verde Valley with their young daughter. You can imagine the inspiring landscape that surrounded their home studio. The natural beauty of Arizona became the backdrop for creating his most famous works.
Dancing Through Adversity
Waddell's life wasn't without challenges. In 1984, his Verde Valley studio burned down completely. Many artists might have given up, but not Waddell. You have to admire his determination—he rebuilt his studio within just 10 months and got right back to work.
Another devastating blow came in 2007 when eight of his large bronze sculptures were stolen and melted for scrap metal. The collection, titled "Generations," represented years of work and artistic vision. You might expect this to crush an artist's spirit, especially one in his 80s. Instead, Waddell and Ruth opened their life savings to recast the statues.
His daughter described her father's spirit of perseverance as a theme that ran through both his life and his work. You can see this resilience in pieces like "That Which Might Have Been," his memorial for four Black girls murdered in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing.
A Legacy in Bronze
Waddell's public artwork extends beyond Phoenix. You can find his sculptures in Chicago, Napa Valley, and even New York. His tennis sculpture "Apogee and Momentum" stands in Flushing Meadows, capturing the dynamic movement he loved to express.
At his 95th birthday party in 2016, Waddell unveiled his final work, a bas relief titled "Rising." You might say it was a fitting title for an artist who continued to rise above challenges throughout his life. As his wife Ruth said, "He worked until he couldn't work anymore."
When you visit the Verde Valley ranch where he lived, you're surrounded by his sculptures and paintings. His legacy lives on not just in public spaces but in the many apprentices he mentored, including photographer Michel Sarda and sculptor Clark Reidy.
Waddell passed away in November 2019 at age 98, leaving behind his beloved wife Ruth, six children, and seven grandchildren. You can still experience the magic of his work by visiting the "Dance of Life" installation outside the Herberger Theater or the "That Which Might Have Been" sculpture at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and the George Washington Carver Museum.
Next time you pass by one of Waddell's dancing figures, take a moment to appreciate not just the beauty of the human form but the beautiful human spirit behind the creation. You're witnessing more than art—you're witnessing a life dedicated to celebrating love, perseverance, and the endless possibilities of human expression.
Exciting News: We're thrilled to announce that we'll be featuring an original John Henry Waddell piece at our next sale! You won't want to miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of Arizona art history.
