Situated between the juncture of Neville and North Heber Streets in Beckley, West Virginia stands a majestic sculpture titled“ Rising Cardinals” that holds court in a space that was once a burned out building.
Erected on September 26, 2021, the piece was a collaboration between sculptor Jamie Lester and the city. It now defines an urban space that had been too long neglected. The cardinal, which is the West Virginia state bird, was a logical choice. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it symbolizes rebirth and renewal, the perfect choice for a city looking for a positive change.
Lester is a prolific sculptor, painter, musician and business man. Soft spoken with a thoughtful intelligence, he epitomizes a modern renaissance man. He started his first business, Lester Sculpture, in 1997 at the age of 23 and it still operates as a sole proprietorship in West Virginia.
“ I never dreamed I would become a‘ bronze sculptor’, says Lester,“ but I knew I could make money from my art in a commercial field. I made portraits in clay for the monument memorial industry— bronze plaques— mostly for grave markers. I was a tomb sculptor.”
Through the years, his business grew by word of mouth with nearly 20 clients from all over the United States.
“ I could have kept working for those clients forever but I wanted a bigger challenge. I created Vandalia Bronze LLC with my friend and business partner at the time( they also founded the Freefolk Brewery in Fayetteville, West Virginia in 2018). We worked as a team with employees for the first time. I started to understand how to run a larger more prolific business and utilize an artistic team.”
Lester hails from a family of artists. His mother is Debbie Lester, a local artist who has been long associated with the West Virginia Water Color Society and the Dan and Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery and who’ s work can be found all over the South. Lester agrees his family influenced and
Photo by Steven Porterfield
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this sculpture titled“ Rising Cardinals” at Neville and North Heber streets symbolizes rebirth and renewal, the perfect choice for a city looking for a positive change. The sculpture was created, designed and installed by Beckley native Jamie Lester.
fostered his artistic expression.“ Without my mom’ s influence
I would probably not be an artist today. Both my parents supported me and provided me with materials, equipment, instruction and the love and foundation that made me who I am today. Mom and I still make paintings togeth-
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