Biography

 Anthony LaCombe is a mestizo and Genízaro artist from San Luis, Colorado—the oldest town in the
state—now living and working in Castle Pines, south of Denver. He has been drawing since the age of four, an early practice that evolved into a lifelong commitment to art-making. LaCombe studied art
at the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University Pueblo) and Metropolitan State University of Denver, where sculpture instructor Robert Mangold played a significant role in shaping his artistic development.

Primarily a sculptor, LaCombe works most often in wood and stone, drawn to their strength, weight, tactile presence, and capacity for refined finishes. His surface treatments range from high polish to
adobe stucco, paint, and weatherproof mixtures. Alongside these traditional materials, he actively experiments with steel, fiberglass, plexiglass, concrete, recycled paper, cardboard, and other emerging materials. By combining mediums, he leverages the unique structural and aesthetic qualities each offers, allowing material choice to reinforce concept.

Identifying as Genízaro acknowledges LaCombe’s Indigenous ancestry, though the specifics of his tribal lineage remain largely unknown; he knows only that a small percentage of his DNA is Apache. While he did not grow up practicing Indigenous traditions, he is intentionally learning about this aspect of his heritage. His artwork functions as an “image diary,” documenting an ongoing cultural and genealogical journey. Southwestern petroglyphs serve as a major visual and conceptual influence, informing both form and symbolism in his work.

LaCombe’s recent achievements include a first-place award for a stone sculpture at the Lone Tree Art Expo (2024), an honorarium and three-month library exhibition (2024), and multiple juried exhibitions, including Museo de las Americas’ Museo Es Tu Casa (2025) and an out-of-state art call in Albuquerque (2025). In October 2025, an outdoor sculpture was installed in his hometown of San Luis.

Looking forward, LaCombe is focused on placing durable, large-scale outdoor artworks in public spaces within underserved communities, expanding access to art and representation beyond traditional gallery settings.