Creekside Art Gallery Blog

Dave Malys
Submitted on 2009/01/15 at 10:41pm

I especially like Lake Chautauqua Ice Fishing decoys from Western New York. I have several good and better examples that are for sale, as well as looking to acquire more good examples for my own collection, Let me know if you have interest either way.

Ron Swanson
4:30 pm January 14, 2009

I am a fly fisherman and I like and collect trophy fish carvings. Am completing a book about them titled FISH MODELS, PLAQUES & EFFIGIES. I’m happy to blog with anyone about them.

Jim Wierzba
January 20, 2009

I look forward to a forum on fish carvings and fish spearing decoys as I collect both.  My tastes vary and always interested in discussing with others. Jim

DR. JAMES McCLEERY "patted his feathered wooden friends goodbye" and sent them out into the world again. One by one, over thirty years, Jim had carefully selected each duck, goose and shorebird decoy he brought to his Pasadena, Texas home. Shorebirds were approximately one-half of Jim’s collection, with ducks and geese from all North American hunting regions making up the balance. His emphasis was on working decoys. They encompassed examples from the major factories as well as many prominent makers and excellent examples of unknown folk art. He loved each wooden bird nearly as much as he adored his live feathered and furred housemates. And, when his collecting was done, he determined that they go, one by one again, into new homes, those of his good friends, acquaintances, and others he had not met but who are kindred spirits. More »

New World Folk Art evolved from art faculty discussions concerning plans to commemorate the Columbus Quincentenary at Cleveland State University. Unlike the last observance, which brought forth the influential Columbian World Exposition in Chicago in 1893, the current anniversary has stoked bitter controversy. Native Americans feel that there is little to celebrate. Many Americans look upon some aspects of this country’s history less positively than their ancestors and regard the future with increasing uneasiness. In light of these circumstances, the art faculty sought an idea that would recognize these feelings and still pay homage to the native-born and immigrant people of the New World. Various concepts were suggested until the importance of interactions between cultures and their effects on folk imagery were decided upon as the focus of this exhibition.

Centuries before Christopher Columbus voyaged to these shores, ancient cultures prospered all across the North American continent. Much was learned by native people as they adapted to their environment and innovated methods to improve their lives. One of the eventual results of contact with new foreign settlers was a cross-cultural sharing of ideas and technologies. The exchange of knowledge benefited both, and each new cultural influx added to an already rich and complex history. More »