After retiring from General Dynamics Hayward studied sculpture with T.J. Dixon,[3] specializing in the human form. The accuracy of her work reflects her engineering skills, and her love of photography and the human form.[3]
Four of her life-sized bronze works of influential San Diegans are displayed in San Diego's Balboa Park.[4] "Founders' Plaza" in the park contains her full size sculptures of George Marston 1946), known as San Diego's first citizen,[5] Ephraim Weed Morse (1823–1906), and Alonzo Horton (1813–1909), "Father of San Diego".[6][7][8] Hayward's sculpture of the "Mother of San Diego," botanist, horticulturist and landscape architect Kate Sessions, stands separately.[4][9] Other public sculptures in San Diego by Hayward include a bust of Ellen Browning-Scripps at Scripps Green Hospital,[4] a bust of Lily Tomlin at Rachel's Women's Center in downtown San Diego, a bronze bust at the Timken Gallery, Balboa Park of its Founding Director Walter Ames, and a bust of Margaret Sellers, at the U.S. Postal Service's Margaret L. Sellers Processing and Distribution Center, on Rancho Carmel Road. Privately held works include a bas-relief of the San Diego Opera's resident conductor, Karen Keltner, and a life-size sculpture of physician Barbara Levy of Seattle.[3]
Hayward's wildlife and nature photographs have been used by the San Diego River Conservancy and other local organizations.[10] She has traveled to all seven continents[4] and takes photographs wherever she goes.
Ruth Hayward was honored by the La Jolla Historical Society on September 15, 2011, for her work as an artist, and for the donation of her bust of Ellen Browning Scripps. .
The San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild acknowledged Hayward's art by choosing her as one of 100 extraordinary San Diego artists in its Centennial Project. Her work was part of an exhibit at the Oceanside Museum of Art entitled "100 Artists 100 Years" April 18 – July 26, 2015.,[11][12][13]
