er when we can. I’ m still learning from her. She is a very strong and inspiring woman,” he said.
As well as inspiration from his family he is quick to acknowledge the state’ s history and reputation for art and its artistic community.
“ I love West Virginia. We are a special breed here of self-reliant, ingenious workers who are used to solving problems ourselves. It’ s a small community so we mostly know and help each other.”
Lester studied sculpture and ceramics at West Virginia University where he graduated in 1997 with a bachelor of fine arts. He participated in workshops and studied in China and Italy but says he is mostly a selftaught artist. And as an artist he also understands the importance of giving back to his community.
“ I have leaned on a few mentors in my time and now find myself offering mentorship to emerging artists,” he says.
A part of that mentorship includes founding the Love Hope Art Center in Fayetteville. As well, Lester provides apprenticeship for student assistance at his alma mater.
“ My current assistant is a recent MFA graduate from Ontario, Canada.”
In May 2025, the Tennessee State Capitol Commission awarded Lester with a $ 1 million contract to design, create and install a 10-foot bronze statue to honor legendary Tennessean David Crockett. Described by Lester as“ Guardian of the Frontier,” the sculpture will be erected on top of the Motlow Tunnel on the southern side of the Statehouse. Lester’ s piece will replace a statue that was erected in memory of Edward Ward Carmack, a newspaper editor who was killed in a gunfight with political rivals.
With over 50 large-scale art monuments across the United States, Lester’ s talent does not stop at sculpture.
“ It’ s true that I love to work in a wide variety of mediums and sometimes it has vexed me a bit
“‘ I feel very fortunate and blessed to have the opportunities that I have at this time of my life and career.’
Photo by Evan Fedoorko
When complete, the David Crockett statue will be erected on top of the Motlow Tunnel on the southern side of the Statehouse in Nashville.
as I have often wondered if I focused on only one medium that I may find more success with it. I actually do not have a favorite medium. I do think one feeds the other and in a sense they are all the same,” he says.
Lester also says he is compelled to work in clay and certainly his clay sculptures are organic, provocative and typically steal the show.
Finally to round out his reputation as a modern day renaissance man, Lester is a talented musician.
His band, The Lords of Lester, is a seven piece folk collective whose style is defined as folk or jamgrass. He has led the band for the last eight years. Their music blends traditional folk music with country and bluegrass to focus on organic imagery with influences from Appalachian culture. He has released two albums with the band“ Live at Whitmore” and
“ Oracle.”
His music often has a haunting quality that spins tales of struggle, life in Appalachia and a sense of place.
“ I am writing and performing solo now and I released my first solo album titled‘ Wonder Lost’ in September 2025. You can find it on all streaming services. I plan to record another album of new songs this spring. My music revolves around a country folk aesthetic for now but I have experimented with many kinds of genres and styles.
“ Music is very important to me. Telling stories and evoking emotions through song is a cathartic process. There is nothing like it. Many of the themes in my art flow from music to visual art and back. I don’ t see much difference between them really.”
And as for the future of his brand, Lester is optimistic and full of ideas.
“ I feel very fortunate and blessed to have the opportunities that I have at this time of my life and career. I have a wonderful wife and business partner who is a brilliant artist in her own right. We work together managing our team both locally and internationally.
“ We have broadened our reach to Europe and Asia working with bronze foundries and fabricators in each location. I am collaborating with Jingdezhen( China) Ceramics University in liaison with West Virginia University and the high tech bronze foundries in that area. This year marks my eighth visit to China. I’ m also diving into the world of European art as I will show two new bronze works at the Giardina di Marinaressa in conjunction with the 2026 Venice Bienalle in Venice, Italy.
“ I am beyond excited to be a West Virginian with an artistic and business presence in the United States, Europe and Asia. The next decade promises to be a roller coaster as we prepare to create art on a world wide scale.”
SOUTH � SPRING’ 26 � 17