Author, Artist and Sculptor Dennis Downes      Legends of the Great Lakes and Beyond
Dennis Downes Bronzes

"For both painting and sculpture, Downes conducts exhaustive research"
remarking on 'his dedication to education as well as to pure form in art."

Dr. Harry Spell, historian and foundry owner


"The bronze trail marker by Dennis Downes is a powerful reminder of a bye-gone era. As Chicago celebrates its 175th anniversary as a city in 2012, it is too easy to forget that for centuries and centuries before then, this very same land was home to countless generations of inhabitants. They left their marks in the trees, some of which still survive to point out the paths that those people followed. Now, an important local artist has left a permanent representation of those trees. This artistic creation will help us to remember the people who were here first and the paths that they blazed."
Gary Johnson - President
Chicago History Museum

Bronze Sculpture: Medicine Bear (2018)

Bronze Sculpture: Trail Marker Tree installed on private residence (2017)


Bronze Sculpture: Trail Marker Tree installed in Antioch Illinois (2019)


Bronze Sculpture: Captain George Wellington Streeter. Namesake of Streeterville in Chicago, IL. Sculpted by artist Denis Downes. Commissioned by Golub and Company. This bronze sculpture is now part of the architectural walking tour of Streeterville.

ABC entertainment reporter and broadcast personality Janet Davies attending opening night. Janet Davies has filmed and interviewed the artist and wrote the foreword for his award winning book "Native American Trail Marker Trees; Marking Path's Through the Wilderness".


Bronze Sculpture; Grove show 2017: This piece is the artist's latest realistic sculpture of a Native American Trail Marker Tree. It is based on actual trees from Lake and Cook County Illinois seen by the artist in his youth. On the 3rd day of this event Elder Hilda "Little Fawn" Williams, Ottawa, in a private ceremony, presented the Artist with the honored Eagle Feather Award. This award was given to Mr. Downes for his contributions and commitment to help save part of the Native American history of The Great Lakes Region. Hilda's father Scot T. Williams; "Thundercloud" was one of the founding members of The American Indian Center of Chicago.

Before the opening of the 17th annual 2017 The Art Show at the Grove, Glenview, IL. Hilda "Little Fawn" Williams and artist Dennis Downes discussing Hilda's fathers involvement with Trail Marker Trees in the 1930's and 40's in the Great Lakes Region.


Artist with guests, Saturday evening during the 17th annual 2017 The Art Show at the Grove, Glenview, IL.

The 17th annual 2017 Art Show at The Grove, Glenview, IL: Guests viewing the most recent documentary on the artist's ongoing study of the Trail Marker Trees by Producer and Director Gary Donatelli


Guests attending 17th annual 2017 Art Show at the Grove, Glenview, IL.

17th annual 2017 The Art Show at the Grove, Glenview, IL: Artist explaining one of the forms of the Trail Marker Tree sculpture titled "Trail Head" to an interested guest at the event.


Bronze High Relief Sculpture: "Morning Flower" shown opening night of the 4 day solo show, 2017 Art Show at The Grove, Glenview, IL.

Bronze High Relief Sculpture: "Morning Flower" based on one of the artists award winning paintings sold opening night at the 17th annual 2017 Art Show at The Grove, Glenview, IL.


Bronze sculpture "Trail Head": 31" by artist Dennis Downes.

Bronze sculpture "Horses": 16" by artist Dennis Downes.


Bronze sculpture "Captain Streeter": 18" by artist Dennis Downes.


Janet Davies of ABC Chicago studios interviewing the artist author Dennis Downes for podcast. The artist shown here with his 24" bronze sculpture discussing the concept of the Trail Marker Trees and his book Native American Trail Marker Trees: Marking Paths to The Wilderness.


Artist Dennis Downes with Mrs. America/Mrs. World April Lufrius. Dennis was introduced to April by WGN's Rich King upon returning from the filming of "23 Blast" by Director Dylan Baker and Producer Gary Donatelli. Dennis and his artwork appear briefly in this movie based on Travis Freeman's real life. Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. April Lufrius is a volunteer to help raise funds and bring awareness to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that causes blindness which has affected her own life.

5ft Trail Marker Tree bronze sculpture arriving at the Redwing Estate site.


Bronze Sculpture: 5ft Trail Marker Tree sculpture by sculptor Dennis Downes. Installed on the Redwing Estate. Photo taken during party for the artist hosted by Nancy Hughes. John Hughes, motion picture Director, Producer, and Writer and his wife Nancy had a strong love of nature and specifically trees which resulted in this incredible 2,700 acre estate.


Saint Valetin Dennis Downes Bronzes


Pictured above; Cardinal Francis George O.M.I.
and Sculpture Dennis Downes


Pictured left; St. Valentin Berrio-Ochoa Bronze

More information, click here

16 foot bronze sculpture
16' Sculpture: Artist next to his sculpture in 2006 during his 60 day Solo Show, Tied to the Past IIII.
This show featured paintings and sculptures

Dennis Downes Bronzes Dennis Downes Bronzes
"Boy", shown in clay
Dennis Downes Bronzes
Dennis Downes Bronzes
"The Children" by Downes Studio

Dennis and Janet Davies
Janet Davies, host of Chicago's "190 North" on ABC affiliate WLS standing behind the 24" bronze "Trail Marker Tree" during an exhibit in Downtown Chicago
Dennis Downes Bronzes
16' "Trail Marker Tree" Sculpture,
Lake County Discovery Museum-Installation 2004

Dennis Downes Bronzes
Mounting the bronze: Mounting the 5' bronze sculpture onto its Chilton limestone base.
The artist is getting some assistance from friends Terrance Lyons, Kevin Gibbons, and Steve Case

HGTV film crew
HGTV: The film crew from HGTV filming the high relief sculpture process at Downes Studio.

Dennis Downes Bronzes
Oct17: This photo was taken during the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibition Trolley Tour
that celebrated the installations of the sculptures in downtown Chicago. The artist
is seen giving an educational lecture in front of his bronze "Trail Marker Tree."