These sculpture partners are being recognized nationally for their innovations in cast sculpture. In 2001, WWII Veterans selected these two South Dakotans from a large field of artists to create the World War II monument, and the artists were hired again to create the Korean War memorial and this Vietnam memorial.  

Their artworks can be seen at Bad River Artworks gallery and studio just outside of Aberdeen, S.D. They formed the art studio after cooperating on several sculpture projects while attending Northern State University in the late 1980s. In 14 months, Leuning and Treeby finished the WWII memorial, six larger than life soldier statues representing all branches of service, which were dedicated 4 days after the 9/11 attack. These South Dakota artists are also producing a 12-foot-wide golden eagle for Aberdeen Central High School, an eagle for Wylie Park in Aberdeen, a life size policeman with a child for the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement Center, and a six-foot-tall bulldog for James Madison University of Virginia.   

Lee Leuning

Lee Leuning attended South Dakota State University and received a degree in wildlife biology in 1974. He worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before becoming a wildlife officer in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He was selected as the Wildlife Officer of the Year in 1982 and as Regional Officer of the Year six times. In 1986 and 1987 he worked as an undercover officer in the Smoky Mountains Nation Park region in four southern states combating the poaching of black bears and the marketing of their gall bladders to far eastern nations. After the largest operation ever successfully conducted in the southeastern United States, South Dakota wanted to recruit Leuning back to South Dakota to work as an undercover officer investigating a large big game poaching ring in the western part of the state. After this mission, he took assignment in Aberdeen as a wildlife officer. He attended evening art classes at Northern State University for 3 years and discovered a talent for sculpture. In 1990, Leuning transferred to Pierre as the Wildlife Officer in Hughes County. This Missouri River area is known for its wildlife resource, and Leuning gained a reputation for his hard work and dedication to South Dakota’s wild resources. Leuning retired in 2002 to work full-time as a bronze sculptor.    

Sherri Treeby

Sherri Treeby, a native of Ohio, moved to South Dakota in the early 1980s to attend Northern State University where she earned a degree in art education and a master’s degree in art history. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1990. Treeby accepted a teaching position at Aberdeen Central and currently teaches at the high school level. She also is a professor of art history, drawing, painting, and design art at Presentation College in Aberdeen.

Her students have been recognized through the years as some of the best in the state. The arts community regularly recognizes her for contributing to local charities and for tutoring upcoming young artists. Since forming Bad River Artworks in 1989, Treeby has created more than 220 individual sculptures. She has also donated thousands of dollars of art supplies from her company to art students at Aberdeen Central and Presentation College so they may develop their artistic abilities.