A Brunswick native, Hughes first discovered her sculpting talent as a child when she was handed a ball of red Alabama clay and encouraged to create something--resulting in a mare and foal. Although she later pursued a successful career as a legal secretary, her artistic path resurfaced unexpectedly after a serious fall left her with a debilitating head injury. Struggling with concentration and reclusiveness, Hughes found renewed purpose when her husband and childhood sweetheart encouraged her to revisit sculpting as therapy. She quickly progressed and sought formal training.

The Brevard Museum of Art and Science supported her development by offering access to their labs and encouraging her to compete for the commission to create the bronze Reading Girl for the Melbourne Beach Public Library. Hughes won the commission out of 270 competing artists. Since then, she has participated in numerous exhibits and earned additional commissions, creating detailed sculptures of animals and people--many cast in bronze.

“Sculpture is an art form that artists strive to excel in, but it is far more to me,” Hughes says. “It literally gave me back my life.”