Carvings (For a Cause) Come to Life
Carvings For A Cause is holding a fundraiser to benefit the work they do, along with Re-Tree WNY, at the Town Ballroom and needs people to represent the carvings they have done. The carvings can be viewed in their gallery, which also gives a brief description of each of the carvings. Therese Forton-Barnes says, “If someone has a liking to one or another, they may pick a character as well.”
However, here are some of the characters she would like to see at the party:
+Ben Franklin – passing out programs
+Teressa Bellissimo – serving Chicken Wings
+Chauncey Olcott – may sing an Irish tune or two – wrote “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”
+Harold Allen – may sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
+Ernestine Nardin/Mother Catherine – both may say a prayer/blessing
+Frederick Law Olmstead/Frank Lloyd Wright – may say something about how proud they are of the community
+Asa Harris
+A Bear
+An Erie Indian
+Red Jacket
Most of the characters will stroll around the party, taking on their personalities. Forton-Barnes says, “I want everyone to be a “part” of the party and to enjoy themselves as well!” The fundraiser will also be premiering a documentary film on Carvings For A Cause produced by Canisius College Video Institute.
If you would like more information on Carvings For A Cause, you can visit their website, or e-mail Forton-Barnes at therese@carvingsforacause.com about the characters. The party takes place on Wednesday, June 18 from 6-9 PM at the Town Ballroom.
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Comment Options
Matthewjohnp
These neckless carvings freak me out.
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blueribbon
Please! No more!
I can't bear to look at these things - they are such clumsy renderings. Perhaps some people consider these to be quaint, folk art sculptures. But, no, they are just plain ugly.
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buffaloed
Thank God! I thought I was the only one! These 'carvings' really are terrible. What's worse is that the natural woods used for these things are really quite beautiful and are hidden behind layers of tinted deck and fence stain.
To each their own.
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LivingForge
They aren't the prettiest things in the world, but the people behind this are doing something positive with wood from the October Thundersnow right? It's a good cause and it's not like these are taking over the city or anything.
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magnachef
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sbrof
I like them also.
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Perry
Come on people...only in Buffalo can people stomp on a great thing! Sure, they are a little whimsical, but no one is confusing them with masterworks from great artists. The article was looking for volunteers to support this great effort (that is being completely run and funded by one Buffalo citizen). Some of you folks really need to get a life!!! Pathetic!
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Therese
I am the founder of this project. I was devastated when the storm hit. I wanted to find a way to use these trees that have been around for hundreds of years, instead of having them all cut up for firewood. There are two other similar projects in Canada and have been quite successful and popular with tourists. I also thought it would be an educational component. They represent our rich cultural history as well as paying tribute to numerous individuals both living and gone. These carvings are likenesses....not supposed to look identical. When you carve them with a chainsaw, it is not like a bronze where you can mold it. The neck part - if he carved too much of a neck it would be too fragile and potentially crack. The color has to be a dark color to preserve the wood. I have gotten a lot of professionally advice when doing this project and have made sure I did it in a way that would make them last. The project was also created to help raise funds for Re-treeing WNY. we are now in the process of having many bowls and other pieces of functional art for sale made from the trees from the storm. I am sorry that some of you have not enjoyed it. The project has been very time consuming, and worth every minute of it in my eyes. I am one that tries to give back to my community as much as I can. I have raised over $100,000 dollars for this project, and will continue to raise money and to re-use and re-cylce trees for the benefit of re-treeing WNY. If you do not like them , that is fine....I have recieved hundreds of emails from people in WNY and all over the country that do love them, and what they represent. Therese Forton-Barnes
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LivingForge
Thanks Therese. There's a lot of negativity on this site, and I hope you won't take such comments as representative of the general opinion. You've done a great thing turning so many lost trees into decoration and fundraising for new trees. Thank you!
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sbrof
You can't win over everyone but that shouldn't stop you. Taking such a devastating storm and turning it around to provide both public art, education and funding for new trees was simply brilliant and I hope you continue to add another layer to our history, art and environmental future.
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Perry
Therese - rock on! Don't let these miserable people keep you down. I love driving around the city, catching glimpses of the carvings. Bravo!!!
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MattCarlucci
Do a little research and find out what this project is really about. Then, maybe you can make an educated observation. Therese, you're my hero.
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