Dennis Hrusa is a CT based sculptor and painter. Born in Hartford, art drew him in at a young age, specifically Michaelangelo's and Da Vinci's powerful works. He attended Glastonbury High School, where Dennis' art teacher, Bob Manning, introduced him to the 1960's contemporary art scene. His classes visited NYC museums and galleries, including MOMA, Guggenheim and the Whitney. From 1971-1974, Dennis attended Manchester Community College, instructed again by artist Bob Manning. Welding metal sculpture and carving marble sculpture was his focus. He also studied drawing, design, art history, and wrote poetry. Much of his work was influenced by artists Henry Moore, Brancusi, Giacometti, Rodin, and Picasso. Dennis again took class trips to places like Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY. He also got to meet and speak with pop artist Roy Lichtenstein at his Greenwich Village studio. This studio had works that would soon become famous, and helped open Dennis' creative mind even more. After college, Dennis found large pieces of scrap marble at retail monument stores, and pieces of wood in the woods around his country home or randomly on the side of a road. He would then chisel and free carve pieces, using ideas in his head. Sometimes he didn't know what a finished piece would look like, but the pieces would inevitably shape themselves into abstract forms that flowed appealingly. He also painted and drew consistently, including portraits, landscapes, and collages. The written word was still a passion, as well. He continued to write poetry, influenced by Russian and French poets and Ezra Pound. A NYC magazine,"Entrails", accepted one of his poems for publication. Over the years, Dennis has shown a variety of work in numerous CT & MA shows and galleries. He was featured on the cover of Marlborough Art Center & Museum's Newsletter. The “Middletown Press” newspaper wrote about his work in their arts section. He also had two pieces in the CT Collection of Contemporary Art at UConn Health Center in Farmington, CT. "An artist has to work every day and think about art all the time."