Tulsa World: Artist gets stamp of approval

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Artist gets stamp of approval
One of the Tulsa resident's menorahs has been photographed for a new U.S. Postal Service stamp.

Lisa Regan holds a menorah she sculpted. This menorah is similar to the one she created to be photographed and used on a U.S. stamp commemorating Hanukkah. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Published: 11/28/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/28/2009 3:58 AM

The U.S. Postal Service's first new Hanukkah stamp in five years depicts a menorah made by a Tulsa metal sculptress.

"It was really a beautiful, serendipitous thing," said Lisa Regan, founder of the Garden Deva Sculpture Co., 317 S. Trenton Ave.

Ira Wexler, a Washington, D.C.-area photographer, contacted Regan two years ago about making a menorah that he could photograph for a postage stamp.

His wife had seen her work in a store in Maryland and suggested he call her.

She made the small steel and copper nine-candle candelabra according to his specifications in about two months and sent it to him. Wexler told her there was no guarantee it would be selected for the stamp.

A year and half later she learned her menorah was selected.

The Postal Service printed 35 million 44-cent Hanukkah stamps, only the third U.S. stamp to commemorate the Jewish holiday, which begins Dec. 11. The first Hanukkah stamp came out in 1996 and the second in 2004.

Regan, who was raised Catholic by a Catholic mother and a Jewish father, said Jewish art patrons in Tulsa have supported her over the years.

"They've given so much to me, it's a honor to give something back," she said.

The Tulsa native became interested in metal sculpture while visiting a friend in Los Angeles who let her use a plasma torch.

Back in Tulsa, she began making sculptures at an auto body shop in the evenings and selling them at art shows.

When she sold 13 of 15 creations at the Brookside Herb Festival, the single mom realized her hobby could become a way to support her four sons.

In 1997, she quit her regular job, supported in part by a story about her in Better Homes and Gardens and a contract with them to make 20 to 30 sculptures a month.

For years, she traveled to 15 to 20 festivals a year, selling her work and making valuable contacts with art patrons and retailers around the nation.

Her 13,000-square-foot studio is her third and largest studio in Tulsa.

Among her most prominent works in Tulsa are a 15-foot tall, 5-ton tree sculpture at Philbrook Museum, a similar one at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa campus and a 15-foot steel mobile at the Educare of Tulsa, adjacent to Kendall Whittier Elementary School.

Hanukkah, called the festival of lights, celebrates the successful Maccabean revolt against the Syrian/Greek oppressors in 165 B.C. Lighting of the menorah candles is central to the eight-day celebration.

Bill Sherman 581-8398
bill.sherman@tulsaworld.com By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Saturday: Tulsan's design on U.S. postal stamp," which was published on 11/27/2009.

	Report Comment Bullhead, Tenkiller (11/27/2009 1:34:54 PM) And... where is the photo? I'd like to see the stamp.
	Report Comment Bullhead, Tenkiller (11/27/2009 1:35:23 PM) oh. It showed up
	Report Comment heydiddy, Tulsa (11/27/2009 1:51:33 PM) It showed up on a postcard to Jerusalem!
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/27/2009 1:57:21 PM) Heartfelt congratulations to Lisa Regan. ........Shame is wasn't a golden driller, however. I don't know about having any specific religious symbol..... on a US government postage stamp........
	Report Comment hapbarb, (11/27/2009 2:08:21 PM) Congrats to Lisa Regan! heydiddy - very tacky. Corvetteguy, there is also a stamp showing Mary cuddling baby Jesus, as well as a Kwanzaa stamp, so it's equal opportunity at the USPS.
	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (11/27/2009 2:24:12 PM) Whats a kwanzaa? heck this aint Africa.
	Report Comment heydiddy, Tulsa (11/27/2009 2:49:53 PM) Hapbarb You can say anything in this country and get away with it (just about that is) but mention anything Jewish one way or another and it's almost a crime. Lighten up a bit!
	Report Comment okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (11/27/2009 4:17:54 PM) I am not jewish. But i am happy for her. and happy it was a tulsan.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/27/2009 5:32:52 PM) It was really a beautiful, serendipitous thing. I might use that line the morning after I spend the night with my sweetie.
	Report Comment r0rschach, (11/27/2009 7:53:58 PM) 2030 isn't that far away!
	Report Comment Mike W, Tulsa (11/28/2009 2:59:26 AM) Nice story all around! ;^)
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/28/2009 3:06:26 AM) Congratulations Lisa, well deserved. We are proud a Tulsan with your talent was chosen.
	Report Comment former tulsan 808, kailua kona (11/28/2009 12:58:40 PM) what a beautiful menorah!
	Report Comment aint missbehavin, .. (11/29/2009 12:23:30 AM) nice....I like stamps.
	Report Comment rockfan, broken arrow (11/29/2009 3:09:37 PM) Congrats lisa!
	Report Comment OkeyDokey, Anytown USA (12/2/2009 12:56:34 PM) Have they made a stamp with the presidents picture on it yet and did they put the glue on the right side, the one with the picture ??
	Report Comment lizzy, Tulsa (12/4/2009 1:21:36 PM) I LOVE her work. Hope to be able to afford some bigger pieces someday.

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