Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary selects 2020 artist in residence
ALPENA, Mich. — Every year, the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary sponsors an artist to come to the city and create artwork inspired by the Alpena area. Last year, painter Richard Jordan was selected and spent his time painting landscapes and trees at the sanctuary. Every artist chosen donates a work of art to be displayed in the upcoming interpretive center at Duck Park.
This year, the artist featured will create art through sculpting. Autumn Bildson, from the Black River area, has designed hundreds of pieces and has been sculpting for over 20 years. “I just love stone carving,” she said. “It’s so powerful feeling because you’re creating this wonderful piece of artwork within a blank piece of stone. It’s just a great feeling to accomplish something like that.”
Not only are people welcome to come and see how she works, Bildson will bring extra stones so that people can try their hand at sculpting. She said once they give it a try, she expects everyone to have fun. “Let’s put it this way. If I would have tried that when I was much younger, I probably would have been carving like 15 years earlier.”
Bildson will start working in the Alpena area on July 10 and has three days scheduled for demonstrations; Saturday, July 11, Tuesday, July 14, and Thursday, July 16. All events take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
