Hilary Clark Cole was born in Victoria, British Columbia, and is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design. She has lived and worked professionally in Muskoka since 1971, a time span of over 30 years that the artist says "always surprises" her.

As well as having her metal sculptures in many private collections, Clark Cole has created significant public sculptures over the years, providing works for the head offices of Stelco and Tilley Endurables and for sites as Unionville High School for the Arts and the Bethune Memorial in Shi Cha Chuang, China. She created the prestigious bronze ARC Award for Cadillac-Fairview Corporation, which is awarded annually. Hilary has permanent installations locally in the Orillia Public Library, South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, the Port Carling Library, and the garden of the Town of Gravenhurst Municipal Offices. Recently she installed a collaborative work in the District of Muskoka Council Chambers in Bracebridge, Ontario. She is one of the most popular and well-known Canadian sculptors, and has won many awards for her sculptures; one of her signature bustiers was recently added to MAC's permanent collection. She, and her sculptures, have been profiled on television programs on the Life Channel, CBC, and Global. She is a strong role model in her community, and in 2002 won the first YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Arts and Culture.

Whether creating realistic, three-dimensional animals, such as 'Wolves - The Messengers' and 'Grizzly Bears: Mother and Cubs', 'Northern Ontario Bull Moose', and the 'Chestnut Filly', or more ethereal pieces such as 'Windswept Silhouette', a life-sized female figure combining the natural elements of rock and tree, and intimate studies of bustiers, flowers and figures in bronze and steel, Clark Cole continues to explore her own creative depths and to provoke deep-seated responses in viewers.
- by Carol Pollock

Resumé of Canadian Sculptor Hilary Clark Cole, AOCD
Sculptor in Welded Steel

Graduated from Ontario College of Art and Design, 1969
Has lived and worked professionally in Muskoka since 1971

Materials: One-of-a-kind, hand-built, welded steel sheet and rod sculpture, Corten Steel Plate, sometimes incorporating glass, copper, brass and stones. Indoor and Outdoor installations, Bronze Castings, Limited Editions.

Her work is part of many public and private collections throughout the world.

PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS AND COMMISSIONS

• Muskoka District Council Chambers, Bracebridge, Ontario
• Municipal Offices, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Creator of bronze Cadillac-Fairview Corporation “ARC” Award
• AlertCare Corporation’s “The Colonial”, Whitby, Ontario
• Tilley Endurables World Headquarters, Toronto, Ontario
• Unionville High School for the Arts, Unionville, Ontario
• Stelco Head Offices, Toronto, Ontario
• Bethune Memorial, Shi Cha Chuang, China
• Orillia Public Library, Orillia, Ontario
• Bracebridge Sportsplex, Bracebridge, Ontario
• Gravenhurst Public School, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Sullivan Law Offices, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Gravenhurst High School, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Stuart and Cruikshank Law Offices, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Beechgrove Public School, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Saint Gabriel’s Church, Willowdale, Ontario
• Trinity United Church, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, Bracebridge, Ontario
• Muskoka Arts and Crafts Permanent Collection

• 1986 Muskoka Arts and Crafts Founding Patron’s Award
• 1994 Town of Gravenhurst Achievement Award
• 1998, 1999, 2000 Doug Gatke Award for Member’s Choice
• 1999, 2000 Muskoka Arts and Crafts People’s Choice Award
• 2002 MAC Award of Excellence, Spring Show
• 2002 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Arts and Culture
• 2005 Muskoka Arts and Crafts People’s Choice Award
• 2005 Enterprising Women, Best Artist / Craftsperson
• 2007 MAC Award of Excellence
• 2008 MAC Lifetime Membership Award
• Margot Bindhardt Award in the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Fine Art Showcase