The genesis of any Assemblage is its commission. For example, when the San Francisco Giants wanted to honor Willie McCovey in a very special way, they contacted Ray Ward and commissioned him to create an Assemblage for Willie that would show the story of his entire baseball career in a permanent piece of art.

Once the elements are gathered in his studio, Ray and his colleagues, Francie Ward and Vince Carl, begin to mount the pieces, big and small, onto the "canvas" (usually wood). Several weeks in the making, an Assemblage takes shape slowly and in its early stages resembles hodgepodge at best. It isn't until the last element has been added that one steps back and says, "Wow." The finished piece is the recipient's life and career artfully displayed in a way that's uniquely personal.

Here Ray adds a baseball "element" to Jim Palmer's work in progress.  The time and detail that goes into one of these 3-dimensional works is incredible.  This is one art form that an image (picture/poster) simply cannot do justice to.

Upon completion, the art is carefully crated and shipped to the designation of its presentation. Here Joe Morgan receives his Assemblage (commissioned by the San Francisco Giants) on a special day honoring his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

At most presentations before an audience, the fans receive a permanent collectible commemorative, such as a poster or folder depicting the Assemblage. In this case Ray and Francie Ward show off the three-page fold-out the Baltimore Orioles gave everyone in attendance for their 30th Anniversary.

If a player is fortunate enough to be honored with a Ray Ward Assemblage, it usually ends up in a prominent spot in their home. Here Willie McCovey proudly displays his piece which hangs in his living room.

The end result is the Assemblage exhibited in its permanent home. At right, the 75th Anniversary of Fenway Park Assemblage hangs in Boston Red Sox' executive office entrance.

A Ray Ward Assemblage must be seen in person for one to appreciate the scope and depth of the piece. To truly feel the art... to have the pieces of history talk to you, it must be before your very eyes.