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COLUMBUS — The public is invited to attend a presentation by renowned forensic reconstruct artist and sculptor Amanda Danning at Nesbitt Memorial Library, 529 Washington St., on Thursday, March 30 at 2 p.m.
Danning will discuss the bestselling book, “No Bone Unturned” by Jeff Benedict. The true story tells of Smithsonian’s forensic anthropologist Dr. Doug Owsley, who had previously worked on some of the most notorious tragedies in recent history—Bosnia, Waco, 9/11 and Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims, according to a release. Mainly, it relates Owsley’s greatest accomplishment of when he was forced to sue the U.S. Department of Justice in an effort to stop them from reburying a 9,000-yearold skeleton called the “Kennewick Man,” without allowing scientists the opportunity to study the rare bones. It’s part detective story and part intrigue that will leave audiences riveted, according to a release.
Danning is uniquely qualified to relate these events, in that she is the one who put “flesh on the bones” by reconstructing the face of “Kennewick Man,” thus providing the world a glimpse back 9000 years to see what this mystery man actually looked like. Danning will have audiences rethinking their classic views of Native American origins, and migration patterns, as well as basic understanding of prehistory. In her talk, she will display her sculptures of various other prehistoric figures found in Texas and around the U.S., according to a release. She will also include a slide show and answer questions from the audience.
Danning has gained international recognition through her consulting work with the Smithsonian Institute. According to a release, her facial reconstructions have been the subject of exhibits at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the National Buffalo Soldier Museum, and the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin. Her work has also been featured on the History Channel and the National Geographic Channel. Danning gives demonstrations and lectures on historical figures throughout Texas. Especially notable are skeletons found from the Battle of San Jacinto, another one discovered on La Salle’s sunken ship, the “LaBelle,” found off the coast of Matagorda, and her most famous skeleton, the 11,000-yearold Horn Shelter Man found near Clifton, Texas.
Danning’s work has been featured in several books including the cover of “Kennewick Man” by Dr. Douglas Owsley. With over twenty years of professional experience and an advanced degree in sculpture, Danning has more than a hundred portraits exhibited in museums across the nation, according to a release. She has gained extensive experience in the museum industry working as a designer, fabricator and exhibit director.
Danning hails from Mabank, Texas but has lived in Columbus with her husband, Jim Brasher, for many years. She has served in an official capacity for the Live Oak Art Center as well as the Arts for Rural Texas in Fayetteville.
