Artist Among Us: Sculpture Creator Jesse Ensling

Art History: While art was always an interest of his, Jesse Ensling didnโ€™t discover his natural talent for three-dimensional work until college. He studied at Stagio Stagi Institute in Italy through an exchange program of the Columbia Teachers College, focusing on marble sculpture. โ€œI came home with a ton of marble and a passion for carving,โ€ says Ensling. His current seashell collection is an homage to his favorite place: the beach. โ€œIโ€™m choosing quality stones and using the best equipment I can afford to bring out the best in the stone and my design and concept of my series,โ€ he says.
The Piece: โ€œBlue Whelk Shell,โ€ blue calcite marble, $20,000, www.jesseenslingart.com
Inspiration: These days Ensling doesnโ€™t have much time to spend at the beach, so he brings the beach home, frequently creating shell sculptures. โ€œI guess this is the next best thing to have around meโ€”all the things that remind me of the places I love,โ€ he says.

From May 7 to 29, Greenwich Arts Council turned Greenwich Avenue into a walking museum via Art to the Avenue, for the 18th year in a row. Local businesses hosted works from more than 120 unbelievably talented artists, six of which were singled out by our judges.
-PHOTOGRAPHS by Bruce Plotkin

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