“The purpose of my work is to enrich people’s lives by creating emotive, beautiful, and magical energy through bronze.”
—Richard MacDonald
Now based in Las Vegas and Monterey, he sculpts daily in clay, working with live performers in his studio to capture the essence of motion before casting in bronze. His work blends discipline with grace, concept and energy with emotion—each figure alive with gesture and intent. For MacDonald, the act of sculpting is more than technique—it is storytelling in three dimensions.He draws inspiration from the world around him: long walks along the California coast, the energy of live music, and the expressive power of dance. These influences echo through his work, seen in both intimate studies and monumental installations. His sculptures speak to the shared experience of being human—fragile yet strong, grounded yet reaching.
In early 2024, MacDonald made a rare public appearance at Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week—his first major art fair in over 25 years. There, he debuted a dazzling 24-karat white gold leaf version of Orpheus Ascending, alongside original sketches and paintings. The exhibition drew collectors from across the country and underscored his ongoing innovation and relevance in the world of fine art.
His long-standing partnership with the Royal Ballet in London has yielded some of the most evocative ballet sculptures in contemporary art. Commissioned to honor Dame Ninette de Valois, MacDonald exhibited at White Lodge and was later invited to Buckingham Palace by Prince Charles.
His philanthropic commitment extended to the creation of two Royal Ballet scholarships—one for a male and one for a female student—supporting dancers like Connolly, who rose from humble beginnings to become a principal artist.
Equally transformative was his collaboration with Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté. “The art of Richard MacDonald reveals the infinite beauty of the human body,” Laliberté said. Their partnership birthed sculptures that defy gravity—works that capture the surreal poetry of performance, frozen in time and space.
A devoted philanthropist, MacDonald has contributed millions to nonprofits nationally and internationally, including local organizations such as the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Nevada Ballet, Power of Love, One Drop, and other community-based charities.
Where is Richard MacDonald going?
Exactly where he’s always been headed: forward—with passion, intention, and the timeless language of the art of sculpture.
The Art of Richard MacDonald
Bellagio – O Theatre
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
702-730-3990
