Stretch

STRETCH’s works have been on display in private and corporate collections throughout the world. The sculptures vary in scale from small approachable pieces to environmentally dominating. The choice of materials STRETCH uses in his pieces - glass & steel - work against each other, causing tension while maintaining a high level of dialogue.

STRETCH is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute. He completed his masters at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. Both Dale Eldred and Jim Leedy mentored STRETCH into the growing Kansas City art scene. STRETCH has since worked with many renowned artists including Mark di Suvero and John Henry. STRETCH has worked with numerous artists on public commissions – for airports, college campuses, and city sculpture parks around the world. Recently presented an Urban Hero Award, STRETCH plays a major role in the community. He served as vice president of KC’s oldest non-profit artist coalition (KCAC), has been a board member for Review Magazine and the Crossroads Community Association and recently joined the Board of Directors for the International Sculpture Center.
He owns a restaurant called Grinders, and a deli, Grinders West, a gallery called ZONE, and most recently developed a monthly art auction called Art Bidz. STRETCH, in association with Pipeline Productions, has developed the sculpture park behind Grinders into a live music venue known as The Crossroads KC @ Grinders, which promotes artists, musicians, and benefits for non-profit
organizations.

In addition to public art, STRETCH expanded his creative career by entering into a development deal with Spike TV, which will provide him significant exposure through the creation of multiple television shows for the channel. In the past, STRETCH also had direct participation in Discovery Channel’s hit show, Monster House and worked with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for five episodes. For EMHE, STRETCH has built a Fire Fountain piece on location in Kansas City, created custom steel furniture for a family in Witchita, KS and designed an extreme monster truck bedroom as well as a custom flagpole and Marine Corps memorabilia for the Gilyeat family. In 2006, STRETCH built a monumental fire and water fountain sculpture and custom furniture for the Sabine Pass Firestation No. 4 that was damaged in Hurricane Rita. The Food Network has also featured STRETCH as a sculptor and restaurateur on the hit show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and Guy’s Big Bite. STRETCH most recently traveled with America’s Chefs, cooking and entertaining for the military. He has also traveled with the Guy Fieri Roadshow tour, showcasing his 25-gallon Monster Margarita Machine.

In the last few years, STRETCH has completed a large-scale sculpture for the H&R Block World Headquarters in Kansas City, as well as four sculptures for the Woodsweather Bridge, a part of the Heritage Trail, for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County in Kansas City, KS. STRETCH has been building large-scale sculpture for more than fifteen years.