Murphy – Where as some may see just a piece of wood, others see art.
Four area wood carvers will be joining forces to bring the community a plethora of eye-pleasing sculptures that can be a great addition to yards, homes and businesses.
On Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., David Anderson, Dan Faber, Chris Gagnon and Dan Sullivan will be working together amid flying sawdust and the sounds of their own chainsaws downtown.
Each of the men will be carving works of art as spectators witness the action and enjoy the experience of seeing art brought to life. Although chainsaw art can be very dangerous, as a slip of the saw could be life changing, none of the men have suffered more than minor cuts and sore muscles.
The entertainment, called “Bears on the Square,” will kickoff during the monthly First Friday Art Walk sponsored by the Valley River Arts Guild and continue Saturday. The chainsaw works of art will also be for sale.
Anderson has been carving for about five years in Andrews. He said of his craft, “I like taking nothing and making something.”
Dan Faber has been carving wood since he was in the second grade. The Hothouse resident has also carved marble.
“I love to have a knife in my hand and messing with wood. I got into chainsaw carving about 10 years ago,” he said.
Chris Gagnon of Ranger, owner of The Bear Factory, travels the country delivering his wooden works of art. His advice to those interested in the craft?
“There’s a lot more to it than just the carving,” he said. “Focus on your own style and getting better. Don’t pay attention to what others are doing and stick with it.”
“I have the coolest job ever,” said an animated Dan Sullivan of Hothouse, owner of Chill-A-While. He’s been carving for about four years and first picked up a chainsaw for the craft in South Dakota.
Sullivan learned by watching others as well as being self taught. “I get to make up what I do everyday,” he said.
The carvers will be at the Murphy Art Center, 12 Peachtree St. on the downtown square, where they will be carving up wood for all to see.