Charles Bergen AIA NCARB LEED AP

CLIENT: The Beztak Companies
MEDIA: Grained Stainless Steel with integrated LED lights
DIMENSIONS: 7’-6” x 6” x 3”
LOCATION: Oro Valley, Arizona
BUDGET: $35,000

Charles Bergen created a layered wooden wall sculpture of Momma, the pit bull, for Patrick’s Petcare in Washington, DC. Made of Southern Yellow Pine plywood with American Walnut for the nose, the three-dimensional, larger than life, wall sculpture greets visitors as they come into the space to pick up or drop off their pooches.

Additionally, six Mamma's Law Award Plaques were created and given out to elected officials and DC Citizens who made the animal welfare law “Mommas Law” a… Show more

Charles Bergen created a layered wooden wall sculpture of Momma, the pit bull, for Patrick’s Petcare in Washington, DC. Made of Southern Yellow Pine plywood with American Walnut for the nose, the three-dimensional, larger than life, wall sculpture greets visitors as they come into the space to pick up or drop off their pooches.

Additionally, six Mamma's Law Award Plaques were created and given out to elected officials and DC Citizens who made the animal welfare law “Mommas Law” a reality. Using the initial drawing of Momma the pit bull by BreA James, these 6" x 8" x 3/4" birch plywood plaques were made by Charles Bergen Studios. Upon completion, Max Rosenstein burned the wooden plaques on birch panels and Senoda created the text labels for the plaques. The DC Residents, Lawmakers and entities recognized with this unique plaques include:

1. Mayor Muriel Bowser

2. Drew Schneider & Petworth News

3. Emily Price

4. Sarah Yacoub

5. Councilmember Brandon Todd

6. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie Show less

Working with Rhode Island Avenue Main Street Charles Bergen Studios was awarded a $50,000 Public Art Building Communities Grant from the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities to implement artwork designs for one police and five fire callboxes on Rhode Island Ave NE. Each design has a unique connection to the history of the neighborhood and Washington, DC. The six themes are the Metropolitan Branch Line, The Maryland and Washington Railway, The Columbian Harmony Cemetery… Show more

Working with Rhode Island Avenue Main Street Charles Bergen Studios was awarded a $50,000 Public Art Building Communities Grant from the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities to implement artwork designs for one police and five fire callboxes on Rhode Island Ave NE. Each design has a unique connection to the history of the neighborhood and Washington, DC. The six themes are the Metropolitan Branch Line, The Maryland and Washington Railway, The Columbian Harmony Cemetery, the History of the Callboxes, and the musician, composer and performer Bo Diddley. Show less

The Charles Bergen Studios-led team -- Mara Cherkasky (Historian), Brandon Bailey (Artist), and Chris Earley (Civil Engineer) – was commissioned by Washington D.C. Public Schools to create an artwork for the 590 foot long Perimeter Fence Artwork for the River Terrace Special Education Center. A series of 30-inch diameter painted steel medallions connected with intertwined four-inch metal "waves" make up the artwork andtell the history of the River Terrace Community from 10,000 years ago to the… Show more

The Charles Bergen Studios-led team -- Mara Cherkasky (Historian), Brandon Bailey (Artist), and Chris Earley (Civil Engineer) – was commissioned by Washington D.C. Public Schools to create an artwork for the 590 foot long Perimeter Fence Artwork for the River Terrace Special Education Center. A series of 30-inch diameter painted steel medallions connected with intertwined four-inch metal "waves" make up the artwork andtell the history of the River Terrace Community from 10,000 years ago to the present.

In recognition of its community significance, the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities Washingtonia Collection purchased a three quarter size recreation of the medallions. They will be housed in various public buildings in the District of Columbia under the Commission’s Public Art Program.

Drawings of the artwork and a photograph of a model of the project are included below. For a complete overview of the medallion descriptions visit http://www.charlesbergenstudios.com/river-terrace-medallions

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Charles Bergen Studios was commissioned by Dance Place after an open competition to create the Downspout Art for their Arts Park. Funded by a Public Art Building Communities Grant that Dance Place received from the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, this functional piece of art moves water forty-nine feet laterally and down twenty-five feet across the building facade. Waves, fish, water, watering cans, turtles and a whale tail tell the story of the water coursing through the downspout… Show more

Charles Bergen Studios was commissioned by Dance Place after an open competition to create the Downspout Art for their Arts Park. Funded by a Public Art Building Communities Grant that Dance Place received from the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, this functional piece of art moves water forty-nine feet laterally and down twenty-five feet across the building facade. Waves, fish, water, watering cans, turtles and a whale tail tell the story of the water coursing through the downspout underneath and also highlight the dynamism, energy, rhythm and movement inherent in the art form of dance. Show less

This colorful turtle sprinkler made out of marine grade fiberglass is the perfect addition to the Dance Place Arts Park in Brookland, Washington, DC. Aportable sprinkler that shoots out water, the piece is safe and stable for kids at playtime and easy to move for adults. When not in use as a sprinkler, the turtle will be used to water the community garden on- site. Sculpted by Charles Bergen, the piece was cast in fiberglass by My Splash Pad of Louisville, Ohio.

Bowie: Past, Present and Future will convey that Bowie, MD is a town with a strong sense of its history and boasts a community of engaged citizens with interwoven stories and lives. This narrative Centennial artwork, proposed by the team of Bergen, Cherkasky and Bailey, is made up of three large metalwork panels on an angled concrete base and features a coal locomotive, coal car and a caboose that represent the past (pictured). . The three six by nine foot panels are readable from both sides… Show more

Bowie: Past, Present and Future will convey that Bowie, MD is a town with a strong sense of its history and boasts a community of engaged citizens with interwoven stories and lives. This narrative Centennial artwork, proposed by the team of Bergen, Cherkasky and Bailey, is made up of three large metalwork panels on an angled concrete base and features a coal locomotive, coal car and a caboose that represent the past (pictured). . The three six by nine foot panels are readable from both sides so the artwork does not create a “front” or “back” side. The middle of the three flanking panels will be situated parallel to Excalibur Road and the other two panels will be placed at angles away from the road, similar to the existing Centennial Sign is placed. Show less

The Chinatown Barnes Dance Public Art Project is a new public art work designed to enhance the crosswalk at 7th and H Streets Northwest Washington, DC. Each year in Washington DC, the Chinese New Year is celebrated for fifteen days in Chinatown with a parade, Dragon Dance, musical and dance performances, special food and numerous other cultural rituals and traditions. The Dragon Dance that celebrates and ushers in the New Lunar Year gets top billing in the diagonal crosswalks of the… Show more

The Chinatown Barnes Dance Public Art Project is a new public art work designed to enhance the crosswalk at 7th and H Streets Northwest Washington, DC. Each year in Washington DC, the Chinese New Year is celebrated for fifteen days in Chinatown with a parade, Dragon Dance, musical and dance performances, special food and numerous other cultural rituals and traditions. The Dragon Dance that celebrates and ushers in the New Lunar Year gets top billing in the diagonal crosswalks of the intersection. The long curves, colorful scales and expressive heads of the dragon lead the pedestrians from one corner across to the other. The twelve lunar zodiac symbols in the gaps between the perpendicular crosswalk bands forever reenact the race across the wild river that determined their sequence in the lunar calendar and allowed them to become zodiac signs forever. This two-dimensional piece was installed using a preformed thermoplastic to the high-visibility crosswalk. Show less

The Charles Bergen-led team of Bergen, Bailey and Cherkasky have been selected via open competition to create this Sculptural Wayfinding Signage Project for the Rhode Island Trolley Trail. The signage uses the same medallions at the Trolley Trail Round House. Using the same medallions as those situated on the Trail Round House, we placed the medallions at eye level and created a wide, sturdy base for them to make the art piece accessible and better connect it to its context. Arranged and… Show more

The Charles Bergen-led team of Bergen, Bailey and Cherkasky have been selected via open competition to create this Sculptural Wayfinding Signage Project for the Rhode Island Trolley Trail. The signage uses the same medallions at the Trolley Trail Round House. Using the same medallions as those situated on the Trail Round House, we placed the medallions at eye level and created a wide, sturdy base for them to make the art piece accessible and better connect it to its context. Arranged and spaced with the rhythm of railroad ties, slightly smaller horizontal tubes extend “ through” and past the angled vertical tubes a little over an inch on each side. The cross tubes laterally brace the signage kiosk and divide the kiosk vertically into three parts. Thus, when viewed from the “ Front” and the “ Rear” the tube pattern evokes the rhythm and pattern of the trolley tracks that once ran along the Trolley Trail. The three-part vertical division of the kiosk references to the three adjacent communities—College Park, Hyattsville and Riverdale Park—that the completed trail will serve and where one kiosk will be placed. Show less

This sculpture of two monumental Scarlet Oak leaves and acorns will mark the Southern Gateway to Brookland's 12th Street Commercial Corridor in Washington, DC. Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE, the sculpture is comprised of several elements with community significance: A pair of four- by nine foot monumental Scarlet Oak leaves and acorns give a nod to the state tree of Washington D.C; Squirrels and crows consume and spread the acorns; And finally cardinals… Show more

This sculpture of two monumental Scarlet Oak leaves and acorns will mark the Southern Gateway to Brookland's 12th Street Commercial Corridor in Washington, DC. Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE, the sculpture is comprised of several elements with community significance: A pair of four- by nine foot monumental Scarlet Oak leaves and acorns give a nod to the state tree of Washington D.C; Squirrels and crows consume and spread the acorns; And finally cardinals represent the mascot of nearby Catholic University. Show less

CHARLES BERGEN STUDIOSwww.charlesbergenstudios.com | c.s.bergen@gmail.com | 202 546 2339 © Charles Bergen Studios Arts Park Bike Rack Located in Brookland, Washington, DC, the ART on 8TH bike rack design creates an artful signage identity and adds a splash of color on the white façade of the Dance Place building. Situated along the metal railing that marks the south end of the sidewalk, the bike rack clearly spells out “Art on 8th” using the same font as the original logo of the organization.… Show more

CHARLES BERGEN STUDIOSwww.charlesbergenstudios.com | c.s.bergen@gmail.com | 202 546 2339 © Charles Bergen Studios Arts Park Bike Rack Located in Brookland, Washington, DC, the ART on 8TH bike rack design creates an artful signage identity and adds a splash of color on the white façade of the Dance Place building. Situated along the metal railing that marks the south end of the sidewalk, the bike rack clearly spells out “Art on 8th” using the same font as the original logo of the organization. Designed by Charles Bergen and fabricated by Dero, an established bike rack maker, the final piece is kid and pedestrian safe, durable and easy to maintain. The artwork is coated with an anti-graffiti clear coat to protect against paint and markers and is warrantied. Show less

The Bergen, Cherkasky, and Bailey Team worked to explain the larger than life personality and history of one of the great Presidents -- Theodore Roosevelt. This was done through the use of large historic photographs and paintings, a narrative text highlighting his many accomplishments, as well as with the bronze portrait bust that is to be cast at one-third larger than life.

The “Capitalsaurus Chasing a Falcarius”, located at First and F Streets SE, Washington, DC, is part of the Alphabet Animal Artwork Project commissioned by Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, through money provided by The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation. At the intersection of two streets, the piece celebrates two dinosaurs, portraying the carnivorous Capitalsaurus chasing the feathered and flightless Falcarius.The… Show more

The “Capitalsaurus Chasing a Falcarius”, located at First and F Streets SE, Washington, DC, is part of the Alphabet Animal Artwork Project commissioned by Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, through money provided by The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation. At the intersection of two streets, the piece celebrates two dinosaurs, portraying the carnivorous Capitalsaurus chasing the feathered and flightless Falcarius.The Capitalsaurus is of particular significance to Washington D.C. In 1898 bones of this dinosaur –also known as Creosaurus Potens--—were discovered while excavating for sewage piping. Show less

The twelve-foot long and five feet tall Coppa’ Lobsta’ is fun, engaging, and a little awe inspiring. Made of salvaged, recycled weathering wood and copper, the lobsta’ makes a glowing presence in the natural landscape.

Detailed wildlife wooden sculptures depict an exploration of the natural form and essence of these beautiful creatures.

Recently cast in bronze by Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pennsylvania is this large Pacific Octopus sculpture. The work is an exploration of the natural lines and forms of this beautiful creature. These photos show the piece while at the foundry. Placed on a 36” diameter table the Octopus is 18” H at tentacle, 30” W, by 29” D and weighs 123 pounds without the base. A wood or stone base would work best for this artwork. This piece is for sale. Please contact the artist for more details.

Awkward on land or while wading in a marsh, herons, cranes and storks transform and become incredibly beautiful in flight. In this sculpture, I recreated the careful, yet slightly awkward balance the birds. In this sculpture the wooden club is forever up high where you can see and admire it. The wooden club just seemed like a natural bird head and neck to the artist.

These pieces explore the natural form and essence of these beautiful creatures.

Charles Bergen uses various metals to capture the contours and shapes of natural beings. His pieces range from depicting individual animals to full scenes. The work is an exploration of the lines and forms of beautiful creatures in their habitat. In addition, community works such as a piece commissioned by the local non-profit Dance Place can help to create memorable public spaces.