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Health & Fitness

The 'Wizard of Wood' Visits the Woods of Potomac

Using chainsaws, knives and chisels, artist Jim Calder will transform the mammoth stump at PES into an amazing work of art.

It’s not a woodpecker…it’s not a beaver… It’s the “Wizard of Wood!” And he’s coming to the woods of Potomac!

There’s a huge stump near Potomac Elementary School that is just taking up space. Cut it down? We could. But that’s not what Potomac Elementary School (PES) parent Donna Petrocella has in mind. Instead of a stump, she sees art. Not one to stand on the sidelines, Donna rolled up her sleeves and jumped in. Next thing you know, she enlisted artist Jim Calder, “The Wizard of Wood,” to transform the stump into art.

Mr. Jim Calder, an award-winning and nationally renowned sculpting artist, is visiting Potomac Elementary School this month. The “Wizard of Wood” is donating his time and skills to convert the huge tree stump near the parking lot into a pure work of magical art. PES students will provide design inspiration, learn about carving and watch this incredible transformation as it happens!

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Mr. Calder will arrive on May 15 to begin his sculpture. He’ll first build a scaffold around the stump so he can safely reach the top. Then he will begin the transformation of nature into art. It will take about a week for him to finish the sculpture…and the kids can hardly wait. They are all buzzing about the new sculpture at school.

Potomac Elementary students are in for a real treat! They are helping to design the sculpture by submitting ideas for its theme and subject. Mr. Calder will review their drawings and suggestions and decide what amazing creation will come out of the stump. Students will also then learn about woodcarving and see the artist in action as he transforms the tree stump into a work of art. Each class will spend time outside with Mr. Calder during the week so they can experience the actual sculpting process. They’ll see him use chain saws, knives, gouges and chisels as he manipulates the stump. Each day, as they arrive at school, go out to recess, and leave for home, they’ll monitor Mr. Calder’s progress and witness the stump come to life.

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Students will also be able to do their very own clay sculpture during classes taught by Mr. Calder. He will gives two classes for PES students while he is here, and each participant will learn how to carve and sculpt clay.

As a Kennedy Center CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) program participant, PES provides its students with many opportunities to experience and learn about art. Mr. Calder will certainly be a highlight of the year for these children—how exciting it will be to watch a stump be transformed to art using a chainsaw and a chisel! It may even inspire them to create art of their own.

According to the bio on his website (www.carves4u.com), Mr. Calder is a world recognized wood carver, sculptor, artist, painter and visionary. His comical as well as serious works range from “Roscoe” his hillbilly friend to the “Calder Doors” he carved for a competition in Italy and sold to a private collector in the United States. Mr. Calder began an apprenticeship at the tender age of 7 under the watchful eye of Norbert Munson, master furniture and cabinet maker. He was recognized as a “Master” carver at the age of sixteen. Although wood is his favorite medium, he also works with marble, clay and found objects (such as a tree root or rock) to exhibit his creative and masterful skills.  

Take a few moments to stop by Potomac Elementary this week to see the “Wizard” in action. Please be sure to thank him for donating his time and skills to our community as well as to the many other schools he has supported. Many thanks also to Donna Petrocella, without whom there would be no sculpture.

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