MAID IN AMERICA, sculpture from Mt. Lemmon, AZ maple.

This maple wood was harvested just a few feet from our family cabin at 8,200 feet on Mt. Lemmon, an hour north of Tucson and submitted by Robert Rice for our Americana 2025 contest. For several years, Robert carefully studied this particular piece, analyzing its unique grain patterns and natural imperfections before selecting a design that would embrace its character rather than conceal its flaws.

His goal was to craft a piece that not only highlighted the wood’s organic beauty but also conveyed human emotion—hope, faith, and the relentless pursuit of the American dream. By working around its natural defects, Robert transformed this once-ordinary piece of maple into a work of art that tells a story of resilience and aspiration.