The
Sandpiper: Bird Carvings by Sam Clow
The
Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is excited to present a prolific
exhibition of bird carvings by Coshocton native, Sam Clow, on
August 16 - October 19, 2008. The Sandpiper: Bird Carvings by
Sam Clow features around seventy wood carvings encompassing
game birds, shore birds, ducks, raptors, owls, song birds,
woodpeckers and more. For 25 years Sam Clow has been carving
birds in his shop, The Sandpiper, located in Historic Roscoe
Village, Coshocton. The carvings are on loan from many owners
throughout the state as well as from Sam’s studio collection.
The Sandpiper: Bird Carvings by Sam Clow is sponsored by
Clow Water Systems Company.
Sam did not
start carving birds until after his retirement from Clow Water
Systems nearly thirty years ago. In fact, Clow is a self taught
artisan with no specific art background, yet his birds are
intensely life-like and reflect the work of a master craftsman
artist. Upon his retirement, Sam began carving birds in his
basement at home because of a general interest in art and his
love of the outdoors. Inspired by images he saw in sporting
magazines like Field & Stream, Sam set out to create
artwork that was more affordable to the common person. In 1980,
he moved into his Sandpiper Shop in Roscoe Village, and has
since carved well over 1,000 birds. Sam was named the
prestigious Mr. Coshoctonian Award in 1992.
Sam
thoroughly researches each of his birds, carefully studying its
anatomy and utilizing images for reference. He begins with a
type of wood from Malaysia, called Gelutong, and makes a
pattern, cutting out a rough shape with a band saw. Next, he
utilizes small grinders and dremel tools to meticulously carve
the details in the feathers, giving the birds’ texture and
individual qualities. Finally, Sam again studies the color
patterns of his subjects and paints each bird accordingly.
The
Sandpiper: Bird Carvings by Sam Clow
is certain to please anyone who finds joy in nature or in the
beauty of the artwork itself. The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is
open daily from noon to 5:00 P.M. May through October. Along
with a special exhibit gallery, the museum includes four
permanent galleries: American Indian, Historic Ohio, Asian, and
Golden. The museum is located at 300 N. Whitewoman Street, in
historic Roscoe Village, Coshocton, Ohio. A restored canal-era
town sited along the former Ohio & Erie Canal, Roscoe Village
offers many attractions. Costumed interpreters lead tours
through the restored buildings, and numerous shops and
restaurants are situated within the Village. For more
information, contact JHM at 740-622-8710 / email:
jhmuseum@sbcglobal.net or visit our website www.jhmuseum.org.
The Ohio
Arts Council helps fund the museum with state tax dollars to
encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural
enrichment for all Ohioans.
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