February Art in the Library Exhibit
The Boulder Junction Public Library welcomes the public to view their February “Art in the Library” exhibit featuring art by Chuck Ahlborn and Darcy Lanz-Sage. Their artwork will be on display throughout the library during regular business hours.
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. 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 it’s 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 it’s unique frame composition. He will also inlay these cold castings into distinctive one of a kind “Northwoods Art Furniture.”
Chuck’s artwork can also be viewed at Artist’s Palette Gallery in downtown Manitowish Waters.
Darcy Lanz-Sage is an artist and art educator. She is a recently retired art teacher from the Madison, Wisconsin area. She has been teaching art to people of all ages for over 40 years. Her interest in artmaking began at a very early age and her experience with different media is vast.
The Mission Statement she wrote during a class she attended pretty much sums up what she is all about. This is what it said “I teach to create in others a passion for learning. I teach art because: I have a passion to create art and to continually learn about art and art processes; and a need to share, inspire, encourage, and challenge others with that knowledge.”
Her most recent explorations involve the surface decoration of fabrics and paper, using a variety of techniques. She loves texture and layering and gets most of her inspiration from observing nature. Over the years Darcy has participated in a variety of art fairs, shows, and exhibit’s; and has sold items in numerous shops. She has been published in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine, Quilting Arts Magazine, and Interweave’s special publication devoted to journal making, called PAGES.
Darcy is the mother of 2 daughters, “Bella” of 3 grandchildren, and lives with her husband in Manitowish Waters. The Northwood’s has always held a special place in Darcy’s heart and she is happy to now be calling it home.
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.