Chainsaw Art at Penn-Trafford

On Thursday and Friday students at Penn-Trafford had the opportunity to watch a chainsaw artist at work.  Rick Boni from Appalachian Arts Studio answered questions and demonstrated the folk art of chainsaw carving.  Rick has travelled all over the world teaching classes on this relatively new art form.  I believe deeply that art and music education are both essential curricular options for our students.  In the past, I have blogged about how creative thinking and the ability to problem solve will be critical abilities for our students as we move forward into the 21^st Century.  The arts provide these skills.  For example, one of the elementary students asked Rick if he ever made mistakes while carving.  His answer was that most people would not know whether or not he made a mistake because he would figure out a way to “fix” the mistake as he completed the carving.  This is an example of both problem solving and creative thinking.  

On Thursday, all third, fourth and fifth grade students from across the district watched a demonstration and also asked Rick questions about his art form and his career path.  Additionally, on Friday Rick spent time at the high school with all art students.  Again he demonstrated his art while at the same time talking more in-depth about the inner workings of his art studio in general and chainsaw art specifically.  I appreciate the hard work of our elementary and high school art teachers (Mrs. Brenda Christeleit and Mrs. Carla Gialloreto, Mrs. Connie Vaskov, Mr. Ron Nigro and Mrs. Jen Haberberger) who helped to organize the event.  Finally, I appreciate the work and good humor of Rick as he interacted with the students over the past two days.  The two carvings that he made will be auctioned by the Penn-Trafford Community Education Foundation.  The last two days have been a great time for me as I watch students experience something that is a little different than what they normally used to.  Thanks to everyone!