Artist Deveren Farley's sculpture is now on permanent display at Centennial Plaza after its recent purchase by the city.

Farley, a resident of Lindon, Utah, was first introduced to welding in a high school metal shop class taught by Steve Hamilton. Hamilton not only conveyed the technique of welding but taught his students to think outside the box and to design and create their own pieces of art. Hamilton went above and beyond the call of a teacher and took his students to competitions and helped them enter fairs, teaching his students to be confident and proud of their skill.

Farley’s first prize was won at the California State Fair where he received first place, Best of Show, Most Outstanding and Most Creative in 2000 for a dragon sculpture. Then in 2001, he received first place, Most Outstanding, and Most Creative for a 7-foot alligator.

After high school and serving a two-year mission for his church, Farley met his wife and moved from California where he was raised to Orem, Utah. He still enjoyed welding so he started his own railing business and created custom home decor pieces. With all the excess and scrap bits of metal in his shop, he made sculptures of found art and built his "garden critters," as well.

In his spare time, Farley began to create his line of fine art. His first exhibition was in the Parade of Homes in St. George, Utah. Since then, his work has been displayed at the Authentique Gallery Art and Design, Brownstone Gallery, the A Gallery and in private collections such as the Piano Performance Museum at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in New York, and the Opera House in St. George, Utah.

“As an artist, I strive to take what others imagine and bring it to life for them by creating a piece that is as unique and beautiful as the idea itself,” he said.

You can find out more about Farley and his work online @deverenbfarley