Jacques & Mary Regat

In each piece of bronze or wood there is a song that was never sung. Yielding to their tools, a dream unfolds that comes from within. Jacques and Mary Regat, a husband-and-wife team of sculptors unite their talents in the creation of their work. Their art is a bold statement of their inner feelings, of the deep ties to the land of Alaska, its people, history, legends, and the greatness of its rugged wilderness.

Jacques began his career in France where he taught himself to paint and carve in clay, wood, and stone. At the same time he was working with metal, learning the trade of mechanist, tool-and-die maker. He graduated from the College d’Enseignement Technique de Vitry. In Alaska, while sharing his talent at the Native Welcome Center, he developed a strong kinship and respect for the cultural myths and histories of its people, which became an inspirational theme reflected in many of his works. He graduated cum laude from the University of Alaska, with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and an Anthropology minor. 

Mary, primarily a self-taught artist, began sculpting while living in the remote logging camp of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. Her first effort was a 28-foot dugout canoe. Traveling north, she took up residence in Anchorage and began sculpting stone. Her style is expressive, capturing emotions and moods of her subjects. 

Jacques and Mary met and married in Alaska, and soon began combining their talents to create sculptures that extended beyond what either one could do alone. Working together on many projects since 1980 and also maintaining their independent pieces, they have created a beautiful and varied collection of works. The Regats have made many monuments and large-scale sculptures. Their focus is on the Alaska wildlife. They have also created some intricate bronzes reflecting Native Alaska Legends and have done sculptures of people. 

Their works are displayed in over thirty galleries throughout the United States. Many of their sculptures are included in public and private collections throughout the world. Jacques and Mary feel their greatest recognition has come from the general public, which has supported their endeavors throughout the years.

The Sitka Rose Gallery has represented and shown the Regats’ work since 1993.