August Art in the Library
The Boulder Junction Public Library welcomes the public to view their August Art in the Library exhibit with artwork from artist Chuck Ahlborn. His artwork will be on display throughout the library during regular business hours. The public is invited to meet the artist during an open house to be held on Saturday, August 10 from 12:30-2pm in the library. The public is invited to stop in anytime during the open house. The event is free and refreshments will be served.
Chuck Ahlborn and the Northwoods natural world are totally inseparable. Chuck’s bond with the natural world of the Northwoods has been deeply embedded into him his entire life, as it was for several generations of his family before him. As an avid hunter and fisherman, he has experienced every nuance of the outdoors. Chuck’s first job as a young boy was the purveyor of frogs and turtles to Aqualand and Jim Peck’s Wildlife parks, catching thousands of each for tourists’ amusement. This hands-on wildlife experience became a valuable lesson in fish and animal anatomy.
In 1980, Chuck and his sister, who were both aspiring artists, opened an art gallery in Minocqua called “Wilderness Legends Gallery”. The art gallery was open until 2010. Chuck now works his craft from his lakeside home studio in Arbor Vitae. He produces art in the form of cold cast bronze, pewter, copper, and wrought iron.
This process begins with an original clay sculpture. Once the mold process is complete, then it is poured with a ceramic slurry and allowed to cure. The desired metal finish is burnished into the ceramic by hand until the desired sheen has been achieved. There are no two alike, each casting takes on a life of its own. Subtly applying patinas give radiance and depth to the metallic glow to each piece. After all casting steps are complete, the cold cast metal sculpture is ready for its unique frame composition. He will also inlay these cold castings into distinctive one of a kind “Northwoods Art Furniture.”
For questions about the Art in the Library exhibits, the application process, or the Artwork policy, please email the library at [email protected] or call the library at 715-385-2050.