Sculptor Amie Jacobsen’s nature-inspired steel and glass forms add an element of wonder to public spaces across the country.
Words
Andrea Glinn
@glinn.interiors
mie Jacobsen is a lifelong artist who has worked in multiple disciplines—illustration, painting, and sculpture—and now focuses almost entirely on large-scale public art. Specializing in steel sculpture accented with colorful cast glass, Jacobsen creates dynamic, organic forms inspired by nature. Her pieces—ranging from abstract gestures to representational flora—capture a sense of joy and wonder that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Though she has always been prolific, Jacobsen discovered her true calling later in her career. A simple home renovation left her with scrap materials that sparked the idea for her first three-dimensional artwork. At the same time, a television segment featuring Kansas City metalworker Dick Jobe of Machine Head ignited her interest in welding. She reached out, became his intern, and quickly immersed herself in the world of fabrication.
Under Jobe’s mentorship, Jacobsen mastered welding, metal fabrication, and the practical side of running a fabrication studio. She soon became Machine Head’s in-house designer, building confidence while forging lasting artistic partnerships. It was there she connected with glass artist Dierk Van Keppel and woodworker Tim O’Neill—now her husband—collaborators who continue to play an essential role in her projects. Jobe’s encouragement of collaboration and experimentation gave Jacobsen the freedom to shape her own artistic voice.
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Her first solo public commission came in 2017: a twisty stainless steel fountain piece for Genesis Hospital in Davenport, Iowa. The success of that project launched a steady stream of commissions for zoos, hospitals, and parks nationwide. In the years since, Jacobsen’s work has become synonymous with uplifting, family-friendly spaces.
Today, Jacobsen’s career is flourishing. She is currently exhibiting at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, has just finalized an installation for AdventHealth’s B.E. Smith Family Center, is fabricating a permanent public art piece for the Kansas City Zoo, and is designing new public work for Liberty City Hall. Looking ahead, she is leading a major civic project in Springfield, Missouri, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66, set to debut in 2026. With a small team assisting in fabrication, her studio remains booked well into the year.
Known for their organic movement and vibrant interplay of steel and glass, Jacobsen’s sculptures feel simultaneously grounded and ethereal. It’s no surprise that gardens, zoos, and civic spaces regularly seek her work to create experiences of beauty and delight. Through her art, Jacobsen continues to transform public spaces into places of wonder, reminding viewers of the joy found in the natural world.
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