Backstreet Studio:
The Creative World of
Bob Doster
In the heart of downtown Lancaster, Bob Doster’s Backstreet Studio is a place where creativity comes to life. Known for its larger-than-life metal sculptures and colorful artwork, the studio has become one of the Olde English District’s most unique and beloved destinations. Visitors can explore the gallery, stroll through the sculpture garden, and experience the imagination behind one of South Carolina’s most celebrated artists.
We caught up with Bob Doster to learn more about the inspiration behind his work, the story behind Backstreet Studio, and what continues to make this creative space so special.
Q&A with Bob Doster
What first inspired you to become an artist, and how did your journey begin?
I grew up surrounded by creativity. One grandmother was a Sunday afternoon painter, while the other was a writer. My father owned a sculptural steel business in the late 1950s and early 1960s, so art and metalwork were always part of my life.
When I was 12 years old, a local banker named John Evans asked me to make a pair of ducks for the wall behind the teller’s cage. He paid me five dollars for them, and I remember thinking that was some pretty easy money. That’s really where my journey began. Those ducks eventually found their way back to me, and they can still be seen in my gallery today. They’re copyrighted 1961.
You’ve been creating for more than 50 years. How has your artistic style evolved over time?
If I were a tree, each limb would represent a different series I’ve worked on over the years. As my ideas grow, so does the tree of my life. As for how my style has evolved, I’ll leave that for future generations to decide. I just live to create and create to live.
What draws you most to working with metal as a medium?
I like the softness of it — the way you can cut, fold, and bend it into the forms you want.
Where do most of your ideas come from when creating a new sculpture?
The ideas are just there for me to choose from. I look around and find inspiration everywhere. Where some people see rusted junk, I see forms waiting to be joined together until a sculpture is created. I might see leaves blowing in the wind and suddenly want to make a leaf sculpture.
What is one of the most challenging sculptures you’ve created, and why?
Probably Cascade, the 40-foot sculpture we created for Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta. It had a mirror finish, and we needed a team of riggers to install it, along with a structural engineer to determine where the 27 bolts should be placed to hold it securely to the wall. The sculpture was 10 feet wide, 40 feet high, and 4 feet deep — and somehow we had to fit it through a 6-foot door.
Do you have a favorite piece or project that holds special meaning to you?
They all hold special meaning to me, but if I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be the last one I create before I die.
Why is it important for young people to experience art and creativity?
Art allows you to make mistakes and then snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Young people today aren’t always given the opportunity to fail and figure things out on their own. Art teaches students how to look at problems differently and discover creative ways to solve them.
What makes Lancaster and the surrounding area such a special place for art?
Lancaster and the surrounding communities have always been welcoming to the arts. I believe the Springs family supported the arts in ways many other communities didn’t have the opportunity to experience.
This area has produced writers, poets, painters, potters, sculptors, printmakers, glass artists, musicians, dancers, and actors. Some stayed close to home, while others went far, but they all carried the spirit of this community with them. This area has even produced governors and a man who walked on the moon.
How has the local community supported your work over the years?
The Arts Council gave me a way to give back through the visiting arts program while also supporting my “art habit.” Lancaster has always encouraged me, especially when I needed it most.
My wife, Cherry, has been my greatest supporter by helping keep my art front and center for collectors around the world.
What do you hope visitors experience when they see your sculptures or visit your studio?
I just hope people enjoy their visit. I’ll talk your head off if you let me.
Are there any projects or ideas you’re currently working on that you’re especially excited about?
I’m excited about all the projects we’re working on. I just wish I could finish them faster.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists just starting their creative journey?
Put in the time to go to school, whether that’s earning a double major or learning a trade alongside your art. Learn something that can support you and your art habit until your art can support itself. Plan on spending just as much time on your art as you do on the job that helps pay for it.
Whether you’re strolling through the sculpture garden, watching sparks fly in the metal shop, or admiring the creativity behind each handcrafted piece, a visit to Bob Doster’s Backstreet Studio is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you leave. More than just an art studio, it’s a place where imagination, craftsmanship, and community come together in the heart of the Olde English District. Plan your visit, explore the gallery, and discover why generations of visitors have been inspired by the work of Bob Doster in Lancaster County.
