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Memorial Plaques

Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice: The Power of Memorial Plaques

 

 

Each year, I have the privilege of creating memorial plaques—pieces of art that pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. These plaques hold deep personal meaning for the families and communities they honor, and the significance of each project never escapes me. Recently, I had the honor of designing one such piece that I believe embodies the very spirit of sacrifice—an inscription that reads, “All Give Some, Some Give All.”

 

These words are simple, yet profound. They encapsulate the essence of what it means to serve and to give for something greater than oneself. There is no truer statement when we think of our fallen soldiers, who lay down their lives for the protection and freedom of others. The Battle Cross, a symbol placed on the battlefield to honor those lost, serves as a powerful reminder of that sacrifice. To incorporate such a meaningful symbol into a memorial plaque is both humbling and heart-wrenching. It's a reminder that freedom isn’t free.

 

Creating this plaque was both an honor and a responsibility. I felt the weight of the message with every stroke of my tools. The process of designing these memorials is never just about creating art—it’s about preserving a memory, telling a story, and honoring a life lived with courage and sacrifice.

 

Every project I take on holds its own unique significance. Whether it's commemorating a soldier’s life or memorializing a local hero, each plaque tells a story that deserves to be remembered. What makes these projects so meaningful to me is knowing that I’m helping to preserve legacies. These memorials stand as reminders of the selflessness, courage, and strength that so many display in times of battle and beyond.

 

If you have a cause, a story, or a loved one you'd like to honor with a personalized memorial plaque, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can co-create a piece that is as unique and meaningful as the individual or cause you are honoring. I promise that together, we will craft something truly special—a tribute that will carry their story forward for generations to come.

 

 

Let’s give back to those who have given it all.

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About LORI BETZ

Every sculpture in my collection is a distinctive storyteller, bearing witness to the myriad facets of life and the human experience. Through the tactile and enduring medium of bronze, I seek to convey a sense of timelessness, bridging ancient techniques with contemporary expression. The uplifting quality of my art emerges from the intentional fusion of form and emotion. It is my belief that art has the power to transcend the mundane, offering solace, inspiration, and a moment of respite in our complex world. As I cast, forge, and weld bronze, I am not merely shaping metal; I am weaving stories, capturing emotions, and celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. I earned my degree in Studio Art and Design from the University of Texas at Austin, which set the foundation for my journey as a sculptor. My passion for art took me across the world, beginning with an artist residency at the prestigious Shigaraki Cultural Institute in Japan. Eager to deepen my skills, I sought out master artists, apprenticing with Alan Bain in Procopia, Greece, studying sculpture under Alex Deya in Cortona, Italy, and refining my portraiture techniques with renowned artist Philippe Faraut in New York. With extensive experience in mold making and casting, I spent two years working in a sculpture foundry before launching my own—Betz Art Foundry—one of the few woman-owned bronze foundries in the U.S. Over the past twenty years, I have completed a wide range of private and commercial commissions, bringing unique artistic visions to life. Beyond creating, I am passionate about teaching. I instruct portraiture and figurative sculpture at the Glade Arts Foundation and share the art of casting and sculpture at Betz Art Foundry. As a board member of the Texas Sculpture Society, I am dedicated to helping fellow artists expand their opportunities and thrive in their creative careers.

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