Hobart Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hobart Ray Brown
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| Born | February 27, 1934 Hess, Oklahoma, USA
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| Died | November 7, 2007 Fortuna, California, USA
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | sculptor |
| Known for | founder of Kinetic Sculpture Racing |
Hobart Ray Brown (February 27, 1934 – November 7, 2007) was an American sculptor. He is famous for starting the Kinetic Sculpture Race. This is a fun event where people race human-powered art creations.
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Early Life and Family
Hobart Brown was born in Hess, Oklahoma. His family moved to California when he was young. He called this his "Okie" experience, like the stories from the Dust Bowl years when many families moved west.
He went to high school in Los Angeles. He remembered Marilyn Monroe from school, saying she was "a quiet, plain little thing" before she became famous.
Becoming an Artist
After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Hobart became an artist in 1962. He moved to Humboldt County, California, with his wife and two sons. There, he opened his first Hobart Gallery in Eureka, California. He later opened more galleries in Trinidad and Ferndale, California.
His galleries helped many local artists show their work. He gave younger artists a chance to display their art alongside more famous names. Hobart had four children: three boys and one girl.
For many years, Hobart spent his winters in Australia. He worked as an artist at wineries there, even having a public welding studio. He stopped traveling in 2006 because he became very sick with rheumatoid arthritis. This disease made it hard for him to move. He passed away in 2007.
Kinetic Sculpture Races
In 1969, Hobart accidentally started the Kinetic Sculpture Race. He changed his son's tricycle into a five-wheeled, decorated "Pentacycle". Another artist, Jack Mays, dared him to a race down Main Street. On race day, ten other people showed up with their own creations! Hobart didn't win, but he became known as the "Glorious Founder" of the race.
The races are still happening today! They are now the longest human-powered sculpture races in the world. The course is about 42 miles long. It goes over sand, water, roads, and hills from Arcata to Ferndale, California.
Hobart kept making sculptures and helped start other races. About ten Kinetic Races happen every year around the world. The main idea is "Adults having fun so children want to get older."
Art Shows and Awards
Hobart's art was shown in many important places. These include the White House and the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. His art was also displayed at the Ronald Reagan Museum and the Palm Springs Museum.
Many people and organizations bought Hobart's sculptures. Some famous collectors include President Ronald Reagan and Johnny Carson. He also created a special trophy for the Republican Party.
Hobart received many awards during his life. He was listed in Who's Who Worldwide. The cities of Eureka and Arcata even made yearly announcements honoring him.
His work and the Kinetic Sculpture Race were featured in many types of media:
- Television: ABC, CBS, CNN, Disney, NBC Today Show, and Nickelodeon.
- Movies: "It will Have Blinking Eyes," a film about the Kinetic Sculpture Race.
- Print: National Geographic World, Popular Mechanics, San Francisco Chronicle, Smithsonian Magazine, and many other newspapers.
- Radio: He was a broadcaster for six years and gave many interviews.
Hobart also wrote a book called Kinetic Sculpture Racing, A Complete Guide. It explains the races and his ideas behind them. He often said, "We're adults having fun so kids will want to get older."
Images for kids
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Hobart Brown's Sidewalk Star.
