Honoring History Through Sculpture: The Work of Stephen Colley

For artist and educator Stephen Colley, sculpture is more than an art form—it is a way to preserve memory, honor service, and give emotion a lasting presence in stone and bronze.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, and raised in Danbury, Colley discovered his passion for art early on. After graduating from high school in 1980, he pursued a BFA from the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and later earned his MFA from Parsons School of Design in New York City in 1986. His artistic journey took him from world-renowned institutions like the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to working alongside influential artists such as Nell Blaine, Robert De Niro Sr., and Leland Bell.

In 1988, Colley moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, with his wife and fellow artist, Annamarie Griffith-Colley, where they established their studio. For more than 25 years, the couple has served as artists-in-residence at the Dietrich Theater, fostering creativity and connection through the arts. Colley also began teaching at Marywood University in the late 1980s, where he continues today as a full-time 3D studio technician and sculpture professor.

Sculpting Memory and Meaning

Colley’s first major project was a Korean War monument in Dunmore, PA, a deeply personal work inspired by his family’s military history. His father served as a naval officer, and both uncles were Marines—one of whom adopted a Korean girl during the conflict, now Colley’s cousin. This personal connection fueled his dedication to creating monuments that capture both sacrifice and humanity.

Since then, Colley has completed numerous large-scale sculptures, including projects that can take up to two years each to complete depending on size. His latest commission, underway for Archbald Veterans Park, will feature seven life-size sculptures honoring service members. Another new project in progress—the largest of his career—is a powerful piece depicting a Vietnam War nurse holding a wounded soldier.

Looking Ahead

Colley’s vision for the future is equally ambitious. Among his sketches are plans for a Gold Star Families monument, featuring five figures at an estimated 18 feet high, and a sculpture envisioned specifically for the Marywood University campus. Both projects await funding to come to life.

A Legacy of Art and Dedication

Beyond his monuments, Colley’s artistic career has been multifaceted. Together with his wife, he ran Colley Tile Works, a nationally sold business from 1999 to 2008. He has also balanced his professional work with family life, raising three sons while continuing to teach and create.

For Colley, large figurative sculpture remains his truest form of expression. “I feel as though it gives me the opportunity to actually express the emotion that is being felt by the subject that I am depicting,” he says. Through his art, Colley not only tells stories but ensures they endure for generations to come.