In 1929 Avard joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as associate professor of sculpture and resident sculptor in the Institute of Fine Arts. He also studied in the school of medicine and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in anatomy in 1936. While in Michigan, Avard created many works of art, including "The Tragedy at Winter Quarters" placed at Pioneer Mormon Cemetery in Florence, Nebraska, "Nebula" exhibited at Northwest Flower Show in Detroit and at the New York World's Fair, "Rain" also exhibited at the Northwest Flower Show and later selected to be placed at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina, "Young Pegasus" placed in Wilson's Meadowbrook Gardens in Rochester, Michigan, "The Boy with the Shell", "Dawn and Morning Glories", "The Flower Girl", "Sunshine and Moonbeam", "Aquarius the Water Bearer", "Madonna and Child", "Christ among the Doctors", "Eternal Progress" which was created for the LDS display in the Hall of Religion at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933, "Youth and Frontiers" which was a companion piece to "The Tragedy at Winter Quarters" and was exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair in 1934 and later placed in the Temple Square Museum in Salt Lake City. Avard sculpted many portraits during this time as well. During this time he also worked on the monument "Lincoln the Frontiersman" and the "Emancipator" placed in the courtyard of the Ewa Plantation School in Hawaii. Also "The Pioneer Family" was placed on the North Dakota State Capitol grounds.

Avard designed the original radiator ornament for the Dodge Motor Company - a ram. He also created a winged mermaid for the Plymouth in 1930 and a griffin for the Hudson automobiles in 1933.