FAIRHOPE — Fran Neumann is a sculptor whose reputation as an artist is rapidly growing.

Her most visible work to date is the bronze statue of Marietta Johnson on the bluff overlooking the pier in Fairhope. Designed from a photograph taken in 1913, the founder of the Marietta Johnson Organic School is depicted with two of her students.

Most recently, Neumann was commissioned to sculpt the mythological figure Daphne, which will be installed at the new Daphne City Hall.

Neumann’s early background was in graphic arts. She attended the University of Cincinnati and went to work in Chicago studios right out of college.

“Usually the studios I worked in would have one major client, and you’d do small jobs in between,” Neumann recalls.

One major account was the Kenner Toy Co. for whom she did packaging graphics.

When asked if she was thinking about sculpture way back then she laughed and said, “Well, yes, because one of the things that Kenner had as a product was Play-Doh. The photography on the package had to be things made from Play-Doh, and I got heavily involved. Kenner Toy asked our studio to do an exhibit for their showroom in New York, for their toy fair, and that’s when I exhibited my work.”

Neumann continued, “That was about the time the Star Wars toys came out. The head of Kenner Toys was the man who came up with the concept of promoting a movie with toys, so we did a lot of that.”

While working in Chicago, Neumann discovered the nearby Evanston Art Center, which had a sculpture department. She worked full time, but every Tuesday evening she was off to sculpture class.

A number of years later she studied under Anna Koh Varilla, “the most particular teacher I ever had,” Neumann said. “Everything had to be checked.”

That careful attention to detail appealed to Neumann. “I learned a lot from her,” she said. “I was still going to her class when I retired.”

Neumann says that sculpting has always appealed to her because of the tactile aspects of the art.

“Something about working in clay is almost like therapy. You don’t think about anything else when you’re doing it. You’re concentrated on it. I’ve heard that from other people too. You don’t realize how fast the time goes by.”

Neumann looks pensive. “You get very few moments of pure joy when you’re working on something creative,” she said. “Finally, someone looks at the project and says, Oh, that’s wonderful!’”

But the most enjoyable part, she said, is the beginning. “You’re just full of anticipation.”

Neumann will be honored as one of only 42 Alabama sculptors participating in the Alabama Sculptural Invitational. The showing can be seen at the Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope, 401 Oak St. Neumann will be exhibiting two sculptures, one of which is a self-portrait.

The show opens for Friday ArtWalk, Aug. 3, 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call ESAC at 928-2228.