“Ms. Deely is a spectacular sculptress who has delivered large public works on time, under budget and to the delight of the citizens of Boise.”
Dave Leroy, Former Attorney General, Lt. Governor of Idaho, Boise, Idaho
“My Dear Irene,
I’m convinced you are the Treasure in Treasure Valley.
Your enthusiasm and love for what you see in your mind eyes, gives envy in the rest of us.
When we first met in regard to building the Special Olympics Cauldron we had an immediate respect for one another’s disciplines.
Like I have said many times, I’m just a guy with a pencil and some good ideas.
You Irene took those sketches and brought them to life with your talent of bringing steel to its feet …you are indeed the “Woman of Steel”.
Having designed shows all over the world this project was one in a hand full that will live in me forever.
I wish I lived in Boise and could be a part of all the creativity that you stir and are involved with. …I tried, but it did not work out finically, my loss.
You inspire me and when I face a wall, often I think what would my former mentor and friend Doyald Young do …or what would Irene do.
There are few people, and I think it is just 1%, that have the vision and the will like you, the rest just lay back and hold out their hand and see what appears.
I’d like to think I was part of that 1% with you creating the Cauldron, which stands proudly at BOI, and we can stand back and say we did something special for Idaho and Boise.
Cheers my Friend, Rene”
Rene Lagler, Production Designer, Special Olympics, World Winter Games, Boise – Idaho 2009
“Irene Deely does what she says she will do. Not only is she a fine artist; she is also a fine woman.”
Carol MacGregor, Boise, Idaho
“I have had the honor of exhibiting Irene’s work at the Sculptors Dominion International, our show, “The Sculptors Invitational”, of which I am founder/director. We only show large scale outdoor works. I was impressed not only by the quality and size of her superb Lady Liberty bronze but by the mammoth undertaking of the program she had accomplished with it before, ie, touring it across the United States, at multiple exhibits, all the way to New York and on a tug boat to tour the sculpture itself around The Statue of Liberty! The transportation rig she and her husband set up was equally awesome a huge trailer pulled by a very large RV, Recreational Vehicle, all done up right with oversize full painted Lady Liberty on both sides of the RV. Irene is truly a lady sculptor of ‘steel commitment to her passion. All my best Irene!”
Gilbert Barrera, San Antonio, Texas
“Art is personal, and for us, there was not a second’s hesitation when we had a chance to bring some of Irene Deely’s artwork into our home. When we look at various pieces she has created, we get a sense of Irene’s spirit, passion and strength. Her work is simply one-of-a-kind. We are anxious to see Irene’s new creations – they are guaranteed to be a reflection of her heart.”
Carol & Bob Warren, Boise, Idaho
“My wife and I have purchased three metal sculptures from M. Irene Deely. Two of which were commissioned by us.
The first commissioned piece was a fire place screen depicting the San Elizario Presidio-Mission in San Elizario, Texas. Ms. Deely made the screen from a photograph we had taken. She created such a masterful piece of art, with the cottonwood trees; the coloring of the different metals is truly wonderful. Recently we had company from El Paso, Texas, and they immediately recognized the Presidio/Mission. The screen draws attention whenever anyone enters the living room and follows with questions about the artist.
For my birthday my wife commissioned Ms. Deely to produce a piece of sculpture of an excerpt from the composer Alex Wilder’s “Five Love Songs for Horn and Chamber Orchestra”. We have the sculpture mounted in our piano room and the music literally soars into the heavens.
Our third sculpture is a pine tree in the Saw Tooth Mountains of Idaho. The tree sets upon an out crop of giant rocks and in its solitude, it is truly wonderful.”
Max and Rose-Marie Bearden, Boise, Idaho
“I had the pleasure of meeting Irene in her studio. I Immediately sensed her passion for art and an ability to listen. She was engaging, creative and inspirational as she taught Michelle the basics of welding as art.”
Bryant Forrester, Eagle, Idaho
“I have watched Irene create her works for many years and have been totally impressed with the passion, creativity and detail she puts into each one of them. Her painstaking efforts and imagination have resulted in thought provoking art pieces throughout Idaho and beyond. Irene’s emotional connections with the environment in which she works, drives her outstanding works. Our aspiration was to have one of her pieces in our house and we were able to achieve that vision several years ago when we acquired a “Liberty Rolls” miniature!”
Ormond Rankin, Eagle, Idaho
“Irene Deely, A Fantastic Artist with Great Vision whom I have been exceptionally Blessed to have had the good fortune to work with, whom over the period of many years, has Built a multitude of inquisitive frames with which to adorn my own Photography projects, each one a Stupendous Work of Art in itself, with which my own Project has been Blessed. For any who would Seek to have a Metal Work Project Created I would recommend whole Heartily entrusting your Work to the Women of Steel Gallery, for all a Glorious success.”
Shane, Boise, Idaho