Art

Remembering Harold Balazs

Published on February 13, 2018

Created in concrete, under the supervision of Balazs, by The Citizens Council for the Arts, NIC students and employees, and community volunteers. Installed in front of the The Fort Sherman stage near the NIC Children’s Center.

Harold Balazs, a celebrated and highly-regarded Northwest artist, died on December 30, 2017 at 89 years old. He left an impressive legacy of work throughout the Northwest as testament to his tireless dedication to art. His work adorns public spaces, private collections, and has inspired untold numbers of other artists. His footprints have graced the halls of North Idaho College, having participated in workshops and led seminars. He held a major exhibition of his work at NIC’s Union Gallery in January of 1994. Art Spirit Gallery, which has represented Harold for 20 years, held a show comprised of 150 pieces of his work this January, which sold out.

Harold Balazs moved to Spokane as a young man in the 1940s, and enrolled at Washington State University. There he earned a fine-arts degree and graduated in 1951. He met his wife Rosemary at WSU, and together they raised a family. Harold continued to reside in this area, enriching others with his talent and supporting his family solely through his artwork.

To date, there are over 4,500 public Balazs pieces featured around the Northwest. He is a noted liturgical artist, with sculpture, painting, stained glass, and reliefs inside over 200 churches and synagogues in the Pacific Northwest. He is well-known for his large outdoor public sculptures, which can be found from Seattle to Spokane’s’ Riverfront Park, as well as on numerous public plazas, schools, parks, libraries, government offices, and college campuses including North Idaho College. NIC is lucky to host several of Balazs’ works.

Click on a picture below to start slideshow.

: Created by NIC students and Balazs. Installed above the main lobby in Boswell Hall.

: “Corn” Newly on loan in 2017 from the Citizen Council for the Arts, moved from the Harding Center. Installed in the main first floor corridor of Boswell Hall.

: Created by NIC students and Balazs. Installed above the main lobby in Boswell Hall.

: Commissioned by Mary Jean Farris, she donated the artwork to NIC in 2006. It is displayed today in the main lobby of Boswell Hall, restored by the Aspiring Artists Club and installed in 2016.

: “Reflection” Installed in 2007 between Seiter Hall and the Children’s Center, with artist Allen Dodge, in memory of their friend Pat Flammia.

: “Reflection” backside with inscription.

: Created in concrete, under the supervision of Balazs, by The Citizens Council for the Arts, NIC students and employees, and community volunteers. Installed in front of the The Fort Sherman stage near the NIC Children’s Center.

: “I Must Go Down to the Sea Again” Installed in 1983 on the south lawn of the Hedlund Bld. in memory of former NIC Engineering instructor Jack Steve.