As they spent time together, Carl recognised Kim’s natural artistic talent and her deep passion for sculpting. He invited her to work alongside him and relaunch Valerius Art Australia. Kim made the life-changing decision to move across the country to Harden, a town she has truly fallen in love with and now proudly calls home. Under the mentorship and encouragement of her father, Master Sculptor Carl Valerius, Kim May has turned her passion into a full-time career. Today, they work together in the studio every day, sharing skills, stories, laughter and a special creative bond that only family can bring.

We are excited to share that Valerius Art Australia will soon open a studio on Neill Street, Harden. Where people can come to learn from Carl and Kim, have fun, share ideas and laughter as they create their own masterpiece. Whether you have sculptured before or are simply curious to try something new, we would love you to join us. Our vision will continue to grow and evolve, so please stay tuned and come along on this journey with us. One thing we can promise is that there will always be laughter, joy and a warm, friendly atmosphere in our studio.

Alongside workshops, we specialise in handcrafted private and public commissioned works in bronze and marble, hand sculpted to the highest standard. We also undertake restoration work, both public and private, from life-size statues, such as the much-loved life-size soldier in Walgett (deemed unrestorable), respectfully restored by Valerius Art Australia, to treasured sentimental items like Grandma’s teacup or a statue that sits proudly on your mantel at home. We can replicate all artistic styles with precision, ensuring restorations are seamless and respectful of the original work.

When you commission a piece with us, you become part of the creative journey, watch your vision take shape with photo and phone call updates, speak directly with the artists, and collaborate throughout the process. Your project becomes as much ours as it is yours. Many clients tell us they feel like family by the time their piece is complete, and this means so much to us.

Valerius Art Australia has been widely recognised nationally and internationally and displayed across Australia. Cootamundra proudly displays the Australian Cricket Captains’ Walk. The National Museum in Canberra holds a piece by Master Sculptor Carl Valerius. Russell Crowe commissioned a life-size sculpture of Sir Donald Bradman for his home. There are many other public and private works around the country, including Bill the Bastard, the legendary Australian war horse, which takes pride of place in our hometown of Harden. We are incredibly proud of these milestones and excited for what lies ahead.

What makes this new chapter so extraordinary is how naturally Carl and Kim create together. Their first collaboration was for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, creating the bronze George Bennett OAM perpetual Trophy. They are proud to be the first Australian artist invited to create a trophy for The Royal Agricultural Society. When Carl and Kim work on a piece together, their styles blend so seamlessly that you cannot tell where one begins and the other ends. It feels as though they have always been in the studio side by side, as if no time apart ever existed.

Carl once believed he would retire, and the business would end with his generation. Instead, Valerius Art Australia is stepping boldly into the next chapter, with father and daughter doing what they love most: creating meaningful art, passing on their skills, and helping bring people’s visions and dreams to life.

The bond between a father and daughter is timeless. At Valerius Art Australia, that bond lives within every piece we create.

We warmly invite you to visit our studio, join a workshop, or begin a commissioned or restoration piece with us. We cannot wait to welcome you into the studio.

Kim & Carl can be contacted through their website to discuss restoration or artistic projects, small or large.