Excerpted from:

Stainless Steel Artist has his Roots in Kansas
Appearing in Kansas! Magazine, Summer 2004 as “Spark of Creativity”

By Sally M. Snell

Sculptor Arlie Regier pulls out a stainless steel rod and inserts it in a cut-off saw. “This one is going to throw lots of sparks straight out to the door,” he beams, handing out ear protectors and disappearing behind his face shield.

Regier studied industrial arts education at Bethel College and received a master’s in industrial education at Colorado State University. “I realized I could teach kids how to do good craftsmanship and use good materials, but if they had a lousy design they were wasting their time.” Regier studied art and design under world-renowned artists such as sculptor Richard Stankiewicz. “He took found objects,” said Regier, “like water heaters and junk, junk. ‘Regier,’ he said, ‘do you want to be known as the junk artist?’ and I said ‘No!’ He said found object stuff has baggage. People know what it was before you got a hold of it.” Stankiewicz suggested Regier use structural shapes.

“What I’ve done is find every kind of shape and size of stainless steel,” contrasting heavy pieces with very delicate ones. Looking at the pattern and reflection, each component suggests the next. “I just follow where they seem to lead,” said Regier.

Louise Nevelson’s influence is also clearly visible in Regier’s art. “I like the idea of taking found objects and putting them in enclosures,” said Regier, often discarding the enclosure once the design is completed. “Stainless steel is an elegant material, and the higher you polish it, the longer it takes to oxidize.” The gleam on his work comes from patient sanding. “There is no plating,” said Regier.

Regier’s son, Dave, a photojournalist, began collaborating with him about five years ago. “He has a wonderful sense of composition,” said Regier of his son. They shipped their newest piece, “Giving More than You Take,” back and forth between Kansas and Texas, communicating constantly by phone and email. The sculpture is situated on the R. R. Osborne Plaza between the old and new Olathe City Hall.

“Osborne did some amazing things for Olathe,” said Regier. “He brought the FAA center for flight control, gave money to Nazerene College, Olathe School for the Deaf, the Olathe Medical Center, and he designed one of the first drive-in banks. He didn’t expect anything back. He just gave money to people and said ‘run with it’.” Regier incorporated stylized coins, trees and building materials to represent Osborne’s contributions.

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