Avard Fairbanks was a Utah native, honored internationally for his sculpture, and well known for his teaching. His sculpture may be seen in public places in Utah and across the United States, including the U.S. Capitol, the Utah State capitol, Hogle Zoo, etc., and is included in numerous museum collections.

Fairbanks created inspiring works, characterized by a fusion of classical realism and modern sensibilities. He studied art in the United States and Europe, and earned his doctorate in anatomy at the University of Michigan, where he was a professor of sculpture. A respected artist and arts educator, Fairbanks served on the faculties of five American universities and was the founding dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

During the course of his distinguished career, the artist created over one hundred public monuments dedicated to American leaders and historical events, four of which are located in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The artist also dealt with themes of the West, the fantastic, and the sacred.