Remembering Artist Dale Webster: An Interview with Wife Vicki Webster <br/>

As I sit amid a fascinating collection of art reference books from the artist Dale Webster here in the Hodel Library at the Lake Havasu City campus of Mohave Community College, Dale’s wife Vicki flips through a portfolio of intricately carved wood sculptures. Vicki describes to me the life and artistic work of her late husband and his portfolio speaks to me as it illustrates the achievements of this master wood carver. Page by page I see renaissance inspired imagery, religious symmetry, scrolls, filigree, and comic book inspired dynamic figure work, all expertly carved from various woods ranging from Pines to oak. The work consists of many sculptures in the round as well as low and high relief sculptures. One can clearly see that the amount of love and dedication Dale poured into these works was endless.

Dale Webster was born in 1939 in Los Angeles, California. Dale had no formal training in wood carving, but around the age of 18 he began to whittle on large wood pieces to create his unique sculptures. To start out, Dale was using the simple tools of a hammer and screwdriver. Dale continued to work with wood sculpture throughout his entire life, eventually taking additional drawing classes to begin to understand the form of the human body more thoroughly. Many of his commissions were formed organically through interactions that the public had with the artist. His wife Vicki states that his good-natured demeanor naturally attracted people and that “he never had an enemy.” The public gravitated towards his work, as Dale also received a Viewer's Choice Award at a prestigious Art Festival in Hollywood, CA.

In the early 1970’s Vicki and Dale moved to Lake Havasu City. Dale spent much of his free time carving sculptures in their front yard and neighbors would often see and discuss the process with him. This is exactly how the commission for a large low relief sculpture for the London Bridge Resort in Lake Havasu City, AZ was acquired.

The large wooden relief sculpture created by Dale, whittled onto three large pieces of pine that were then assembled using hole-and-peg construction, stands as a testament to his love of the human form and classical-inspired imagery. Emerging from the center of the work are two figures, a man and a woman facing in opposite directions. The form of their bodies are dynamic, naturalistic, and reminiscent of renaissance era design. These two figures sit under the London Bridge Resort logo that is bordered with elegant carving work. These figures look towards either side, observing figures and creatures emerging from the wood. Inspiration for the classical-inspired imagery was primarily formed from our own lake and city, as one can see in the top right and left corners of this large work, settled in vignettes, are reliefs of the London Bridge.

This work was quite clearly made from the mind of Dale Webster as a homage to the city he loved. Every bit of this work is detailed magnificently, even down to the filigree borders and small touches. The two corners additionally have bearded figures present, relating as well to the wisdom that Dale imparted in this work.

“Just to be recognized,” is exactly what Vicki Webster would like regarding her husband’s legacy in Lake Havasu City. He was “just an average guy” with a kindhearted personality and a love for creativity. Anyone that has a chance to see Dale’s work, knows for certain that this man deserves acclaim, recognition, and an endless amount of admiration. Dale worked his entire life creating wood sculpture, all for the sheer love for the craft.

When I asked about what Vicki thinks that art and public art does for a community, Vicki declared that “I think it gives them class. I think it gives them personality. I think it gives them the right to say, ‘Oh yes, we have artifacts, and we have talented people.’” Vicki has a great admiration for Lake Havasu City, as well as Mohave Community College, as she and her husband Dale did take a few educational classes at the college to enrich their lives and build community.

In memory of her late husband, the prolific artist Dale Webster, Vicki Webster has donated his complete collection of art reference books to the Mohave Community College library. The Hodel Library on the Lake Havasu City campus of MCC (Mohave Community College) now contains, in entirety, the “Dale Webster Art Reference Collection.” After you have stopped into the London Bridge Resort to soak in the majesty of Dale’s wooden relief sculpture, make sure to visit the Hodel Library to further step into the artistic mind of a visionary artist and kind man: Dale Webster.

To see Dale’s work up close, his London Bridge Resort standalone logo piece was donated to the Lake Havasu Museum of History and hangs within the Elrose Dussault Museum Store.

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Interviewed & Written By: Adam Romano

This report was made possible by a collaborative effort from many organizations and individuals. As a small community, we must work together to achieve our goals. A special thank you to all involved in every aspect of research:

Vicki Webster | Wife of Dale Webster

Maria Ayon | Dean, Student & Community Engagement at MCC

Cal Sheehy | Vice-President/General Manager, London Bridge Resort

Nadia Suarez and Pamela Galovich | Hodel Library at MCC