Sandy Proctor & The Lilles Garden

Here in the Lillies Garden, you’ll find a wonderful example of W. Stanley “Sandy” Proctor’s bronze sculpture legacy in Tallahassee. Proctor’s piece, “Lillies”, presents a young gardener as an inspiration to future generations who might someday tend to the wonders of nature in North Florida.

There are two other pieces by Proctor here in the gardens, including Lullaby, seen on the marble bench, next to the Celebration Gazebo, and Serenity, located at the entrance to the XOJ Courtyard, adjacent to the Studios of LeMoyne. Proctor is a native Floridian who was born and raised in Tallahassee. He is a self-taught artist who specializes in sculpture, particularly marble and bronze, and has created life-sized, monumental sculptures that are featured prominently across many public spaces in Tallahassee and beyond. He strives to capture the emotion, personality, and grace of all his subject matter when creating his sculptures. While he studies a subject, using photographs, measurements, and conversation, he is constantly looking for the hand gesture, the slight wink, the curl at the mouth, the “thing” that makes them unique. The ability to capture these unique features and translate them into sculpture, is what defines Proctor’s works. He begins his sculptures by creating a clay figure with great detail and accuracy. The clay form is sent to a foundry where a silicone mold is made for the bronze to be poured into, creating the bronze figure. Various patinas are added to the surface as directed by the artist, to create the final bronze sculpture that is seen here.

His works are displayed at museums of national and international recognition. In March 2006, the State of Florida commemorated Sandy and his contribution to the arts by inducting him into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. LeMoyne Arts is proud to include his beautiful work, donated by the artist, here in the gardens for your enjoyment. Now, look across the greenspace ahead to find your way to our African American Tribute Garden.