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Local sculptor's art leaves a lasting mark scross the heartland
CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Cambridge sculptor Sondra Jonson is having a banner year. Her bronzes, imbued with themes of remembrance, faith, and Americana, have traveled far and found permanent homes in parks, memorials, and shrines across the Midwest. Known for her ability to capture deep emotion and quiet dignity, Jonson’s works have been celebrated with honors and praised by communities who find her sculptures to be both inspiring and profoundly relatable.
This year, Jonson’s World War II “Fly Boy” was purchased for veterans’ parks in Lemmon, South Dakota, and Morland, Kansas. The six-foot-tall bronze portrays a WWII Army airman, serving as a solemn tribute to those who have served in the skies. Her ability to capture a moment in history with grace and realism has made the piece a focal point for remembrance.
Another of Jonson’s pieces, “Going Home,” a four-foot-tall bronze evoking a soldier’s final journey, has been chosen by veterans’ memorials in Pomeroy and Mason City, Iowa, where it provides a place of quiet reflection for visitors honoring their loved ones. The first casting of “Going Home” resides in Norris Park in McCook, Nebraska, where it has become a familiar sight to residents and visitors.
Beyond her contributions to veterans' spaces, Jonson’s sacred art is adding solemnity to places of worship. The Trinity Heights Shrine in Sioux City, Iowa, recently added Jonson’s fourteen Stations of the Cross and a six-foot “Our Lady of Life” to its new chapel. These detailed and reverent works reflect Jonson’s commitment to creating art that resonates with faith and spirituality. The chapel is also working with her on additional large-scale sculptures for its exterior, ensuring that her artistry will be deeply woven into the Shrine’s identity.
Jonson’s works have not only been acquired by permanent venues but also celebrated in exhibitions across nine cities in the Midwest. Her pieces have become part of year-long outdoor exhibits, reaching audiences in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Mankato, Minnesota; Maryville, Missouri; Salina, Kansas; Sioux Falls and Vermillion, South Dakota; and several Nebraska cities, including Grand Island, Norfolk, and Wayne. Her “American Farmer” took home the Best of Show in Bronze in Mankato, Minnesota, while her charming sculpture “Story Hour” captured the hearts of many, winning People’s Choice in Mason City, Iowa, where it now permanently resides at the Mason City Public Library.
While her works have traveled across the Midwest, Jonson’s creative energy continues to flow into new projects. In the coming year, she will complete a larger-than-life sculpture of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic saint known for his self-sacrifice, for a church in Liberty Township, Ohio. Jonson is also working on a large bronze angel for Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska, further solidifying her legacy as an artist whose works resonate in sacred and solemn spaces.
In addition to her new commissions, Jonson will be celebrated in a retrospective exhibit at the Hansen Museum in Logan, Kansas, in October. Reflecting on her busy schedule and the enthusiasm for her art, Jonson shares, “Art is very much alive in the Midwest!” Her words speak to the enduring appeal of traditional sculpture and her success in bringing timeless themes to life.
For Jonson, each piece she sculpts is a tribute to the resilience, faith, and history of the Midwest. Her work goes beyond mere aesthetics; it has become a part of the cultural fabric in communities across the region. As she looks to the future, her bronze creations will continue to evoke reflection, inspire connection, and anchor communities with a touch of art’s enduring power.