"Mel is wonderfully creative and a joy to work with."


"Superbly professional!"

"Mel Ristau has a masterful understanding of architectural space and the interplay of his art pieces in the three dimensional environment. The professional care, attention to detail, flexibility, and sense-of-humor that Mel demonstrated in creating and installing River Garden 1 for Scottish Rite hospital lobby at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta was outstanding. He is a delight to work with! His mobile brings smiles to the faces of our hospital visitors and staff every day."

"The crowning showpiece in our new building, Mel's sculpture is pure joy. Upon entering, people walk in, look up, stop, and say "WOW!""

"Mel's sculptures are graphically clean, spirited and inventive and have "connected" with students, faculty and parents in a way that is fresh and inviting—creating delightful focal points that have significantly impacted the effectiveness of our learning environments."

"Mel's work... makes a tangible and powerful addition to any environment."

"Mel Ristau's artworks are a wonderful addition to the Nebraska 1% for Art collection. The two works he created for us, a centerpiece aerial installation in the main entrance of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Criss Library and a second kinetic work at the lower southeast entrance of the library, were warmly welcomed by the library staff and continue to receive great praise from students and visitors alike. Mel's dedication to his work and consummate professionalism show brilliantly in his entire artistic process, from his initial application to his completed works. His adept handling of the commission workflow, from interpreting the client's desires, to examining the site and designing stellar artwork, to final installation, formed a seamless operation for the client from start to finish. The artwork itself is beautiful, interesting, extremely well designed and securely installed. It has an immediate appeal that seems to resonate with everyone, and is built to stand the test of time. I expect these works to remain among the favorites of our collection for years to come."

"When the beautiful table piece I commissioned from Mel arrived, it was exactly what I hoped and imagined it would be.  Arriving within the time frame quoted, it was meticulously packaged with specific instructions as to how to unwrap and assemble. Altogether a thoroughly satisfying experience."

"A wonderful sculptor that is incredibly professional and enjoyable to work with. His mobile's coloring coordinated beautifully with the surrounding environment, transforming the space—an empty glass box—to appropriate scale and atmosphere for a children's play area.

"The response has been incredible, it is such a wonderful piece!"

"Signaling the creative activity within and providing a playful invention for our Santa Ana winds, your outdoor sculpture is masterfully crafted, perfectly scaled and sensitive to the slightest breeze. A most rewarding collaboration!"

"A positive experience for all! Mel is a sculptor that understands architectural space. His colorful kinetic work is immediately engaging—establishing a welcoming sense of place for all at Children's Medical Center-Legacy."

"Mel's sculpture is pure delight—delight for all ages. His work brightens and enlivens our museum's lobby. It is among the most accessible and hospitable artworks in our museum."

"A beautiful addition and most successful collaboration!"

"Your playful, yet sophisticated sculpture creates an inspirational focal point that exceeds our expectations. Both children and adults are delighted by its stimulating effect."

"Audelia Creek Elementary School won a Dallas AIA Merit Award (almost unheard of for a public school). Your mobiles were no doubt instrumental in helping the project win this award!"

"Mel Ristau has embraced technology to create an art form that seems to appeal to all. Whether young or old, an art collector or just a passer-by, everybody is fascinated by Mel's innovative creations."

"I'd like to sit right up there and just fly away."

"Mel's sculpture exceeds all of our expectations! It's a wonderful addition to our art collection."

"[Mel Ristau's] pristine works were, clean, serene, gorgeous and popular."