Estelle “Sissy” Frierson began sculpting in clay and ceramics in 1985. In 1986, she won “Best of Show” at the Springs Art Show and Springs Traveling Art Show in lancaster with her clay sculpture Old Man and a Pig. Winning the prestigious award launched her career. She went on to win the Merit award sponsored by The Clay Arts Society at the South Carolina State Fair in 1994.

Former Gov. Jim Hodges presented her with the Order of the Palmetto in 2002. Her career peaked in 1992 when her first bronze statue was unveiled in Finlay Park and placed in the Riverfront Park. The state society of the Daughters of the American Revolution wanted to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ famous voyage. Frierson never had sculpted in bronze. She contacted casting artist Stavros Chrysotomides, who showed her the ropes. After that the commissions kept coming in and Frierson said “It never stopped.”