Wood Carving by Stan Fettig

Carving a neckerchief slide at age twelve started Stan Fettig down the road to becoming a sculptor in wood. Fettig graduated from a pocket knife to specialized woodworking tools, slowly, as he practiced his art from boyhood, through military and telecommunication careers, and into retirement. These days he enjoys time at his bench carving gnome houses and working on a variety of animal, bird, and Santa sculptures. Fettig works mainly in American Basswood and Tupelo. Teaching came late, and accidentally, to the artist. A few years ago, while on vacation in Florida, he attended a local woodcarver’s club. When some people who were new to the craft asked club members for instruction in carving, no one spoke up until Fettig responded “I can teach you”. He found that teaching brought out a desire to help more people learn the art in order to carry it on. His introductory class teaches beginners how to carve a cowboy boot. This project gives his students a few basic skills in using a knife on wood. He hopes, through his sculptures and through his classes, to promote the art of wood carving and to teach those wishing to learn. His work will be at the MOarts Gallery until the end of May.