Known internationally for his large, colorful metal compositions and outsized personality, sculptor Michael D. Bigger was also a charismatic teacher whose dynamic classroom style energized generations of students at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he taught for more than 20 years.

Bigger, 73, died in his sleep Feb. 16 at his home in south Minneapolis. A professor emeritus at MCAD, he taught sculpture there from 1988 until a few years ago.

He was "a sculptor's sculptor, a fearless maker of large-scale work," said MCAD colleague Brad Jirka. "Watching him work alone on a piece was like watching a ballet with a crane."

One of his newest sculptures, a bronze and Plexiglass piece called "Wave 4," is being shown at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wis.

In a highly competitive field, Bigger was especially generous in support of younger sculptors. "He was a mentor who brought a very humanistic approach," said John Hock, artistic director at Franconia Sculpture Park near Taylors Falls, Minn., and a friend for more than 15 years. Bigger served on the Franconia board for eight years, starting in 2001.

Born in Waukegan, Ill., Bigger graduated from Miami University in Ohio and earned an MFA degree in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 1968. He taught welding at RISD for a year before taking a post at the Atlanta School of Art and subsequently serving as visiting lecturer at the University of Manitoba School of Art in Winnipeg and Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. He returned to the Manitoba school in the late 1970s, rising to associate professor. As his career took off in the '80s, he also taught in Texas and Maine before settling in Minneapolis.

In a 45-year exhibition career, he showed his works at galleries and museums in New York, Chicago, Mexico City and throughout Texas. In Minnesota, he exhibited at Franconia and the Western Sculpture Park in St. Paul.

Bigger is survived by his wife, Barbee, son Gregory W. Bigger of Bacliff, Texas, and daughter Leigh A. Bigger of Brockton, Mass. A public memorial will be held this spring.

Mary Abbe • 612-673-4431