Northern Oklahoma College receives bronze sculpture, ‘Angel of the Lambs’

Carl and Brenda Renfro donated a bronze statue “Angel of the Lambs” to Northern Oklahoma College. Pictured (l-R): Brenda Renfro, Carl Renfro, NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans. (photo provided)

TONKAWA — Carl and Brenda Renfro of Ponca City recently donated a bronze sculpture created by Jo An Saylors.

Titled “Angel of the Lambs,” the bronze will be prominently displayed in the Renfro Center entryway on the Tonkawa campus of Northern Oklahoma College.

Longtime Ponca City resident and American artist Jo An Saylors began creating art as a child, when she sculpted figures from clay dug from creek beds in her native Tennessee. She won her first art competition at the age of 12, and today her sculptures are found across the United States and in 13 foreign countries.

Although the artist has sculpted many wildlife and historical figures, she is most famous for her representations of children. She has received a number of awards, including first prize at the Ponca City Fine Arts Festival. She exhibited her lifelike bronze sculptures at the National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C.

“Thanks to our longtime loyal friends and donors, I am happy to accept the beautiful bronze sculpture on behalf of the College,” said NOC President Cheryl Evans. “This sculpture will add to the cultural enhancement of the Renfro Center. We are grateful for friends such as the Renfros who have chosen to share their gifts with us.”

For more information about Northern Oklahoma College or giving to the NOC Foundation, please contact the development office at (580) 628-6214 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.