We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Judy Salinsky a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Judy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m so deeply honored to have been commissioned to create this piece. I chose to cast the horseshoe crab in bronze because it’s such a beautiful way to celebrate a true “living fossil”—this remarkable creature has been around for 450 million years, quietly outlasting the dinosaurs and surviving five mass extinctions. By using bronze, I wanted to capture that sense of strength and permanence. It’s my way of paying tribute to their legendary journey, from their ancient roots to the life-saving role they play in modern medicine today. I feel so lucky to get to tell their story through my art and to highlight a creature that’s been a silent hero for so long.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

“When my dear father passed away, I felt a profound calling to create more in 3D. Art and movement have always been part of my DNA; as a former dancer, choreography came naturally to me, and even as a child, I loved the tactile process of building models. My career has always been rooted in innovation—I actually designed the first women’s all-terrain bicycle short—but sculpture brought me back to my roots.
My dad was both a woodworker and a machinist, so a respect for craftsmanship and technical precision was instilled in me early on. For a long time, walking into a woodshop would move me to tears just thinking of him, but that emotional connection eventually led me to an introductory sculpture course at Palomar Junior College. My instructor, Helen Wilson, was absolutely fantastic; she opened my eyes to the world of bronze, and I fell in love with both the intricate process and the powerful end results.
As a lifelong ocean swimmer, surfer, and longtime SCUBA diver, the sea is my greatest inspiration. I’ve even been stung by stingrays a few times, which was actually the beginning of a healing process for me—it’s a bit of a love-hate relationship with such beautiful, cautious creatures.
It is a true career highlight to have been commissioned by a dear friend to create this bronze horseshoe crab. He introduced me to this amazing creature, and it has been such a joy to celebrate its prehistoric legacy and immortalize a 450-million-year-old survivor. I recall seeing horseshoe crabs in museums, but growing up on the coast of Southern California, I had no idea they were so abundant on the Northeast coast. My work is a collaboration with Artworks Foundry in Berkeley, California. They handle the technical complexities—like foundry coordination, engineering, and material science—allowing me to ensure every piece is completed in the exact aesthetic style I envisioned.
Ultimately, I hope people will appreciate and respect this fine creature as much as I do. It is my sincere hope that science will soon perfect a synthetic variation of their blue blood, saving them from the threat of extinction and honoring their place in our world’s history.”

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

“To support a thriving creative ecosystem, society must invest in all artist organizations and local artists who are the heart of our communities. By choosing to support local art rather than buying mass-produced prints from “big box” companies, you aren’t just buying an object; you are supporting an entire network of skilled craftsmen and ensuring that traditional arts like bronze casting continue to flourish. Valuing the time and precision behind handmade work is what keeps these ancient crafts alive for future generations.”

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

“The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to channel my inner creativity and release it through a physical medium. For me, being creative isn’t just a choice—it’s who I am. Whether it’s through painting, sculpture, dance, or any other form, it is vitally important for me to express that energy and bring it to life.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://judysalinsky.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judysalinskyart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudySalinsky.Art/