Peter Helzer earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture in 1983 from the University of Oregon. He runs his own bronze foundry on a small farm in the foothills of the Calapooyia Range in Dexter, Oregon where he lives with his wife, Marge, and daughter, Alison. When Pete is not sculpting, he is writing poems and essays or managing his daughter's band, Tonn Nua. He is also an active volunteer, coach and mentor at the local high school.