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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 4 Volume II, Issue X 15 May 2000 Multi-Faceted Artist Creates Diverse Work By Barbie Sunderland Ogden Valley News Staff Painting, sculpting, calligraphy, poetry, and teaching—all facets of this diverse artist. Norman Skanchy of Liberty spent much of his life in art education in the Ogden City School District and since retiring in 1987 has finally found the time to devote to his own art. Deep within my soul your memory like crickets calls incessantly. — Norman Skanchy Adding to his diversity, the artist creates both abstract and realistic pieces of art. From beautiful mountain landscapes to simple portraits, his watercolor creations have impeccable detail that pulls you into the paintings. A cattle drive several years ago inspired a 36-piece watercolor collection. He froze the actions of the cowboys with photographs and later brought them to life with the intricate stroke of his brush. Skanchy says out of all the mediums he works with, he feels most comfortable with and enjoys metal sculpture the most. “I can do whatever I want to with it.” He creates sculptures, outdoor lanterns and even jewelry. Unfortunately, he’s developed an allergy to the fumes involved with metal sculpting and can’t work with it much anymore. Because of this, he’s become more involved with woodworking. Much of his woodworking produces birdhouses. These houses are true-tolife miniatures of Victorian homes, barns and even cabins with thatched roofs made out of pine needles. The birdhouses were a big hit at his last exhibit—every one of them sold. At first he hadn’t even planned on displaying them. Spending a year in what was then Peking, now Beijing, he was heavily exposed to the Chinese culture. Additionally, during his fellowship at Ohio State University while working on his Masters degree, he took a course in Japanese Art History. As a result of these influences, some of his work carries an Oriental theme. One of the mediums he became intrigued with is Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry. “Haiku is a three-lined unrhymed verse of seventeen syllables; the lines divide into five, seven, then five syllables,” writes Skanchy in his “Seasons” collection. “Seasons” includes several of his poems written on simple, but elegant, cards in his exquisite calligraphy. One of his proudest achievements was the creation of the Artist in Residence program in Ogden in the late 1960s. Through this program the com- munity and the schools were able to interact with nationally and worldrenowned artists. The program was so well respected among the art community that many of the artists volunteered to come to Utah to participate. In 1989 Norman received the Governor’s Awards in Arts for excellence in “Art Education.” “It was a nice commendation of things I’ve done in Ogden City Schools,” Skanchy said of the award in a Norman and Elma Skanchy 1989 StandardExaminer article. “When you spend a fascination for Tai Chi, a form of lifetime doing things you believe in, Chinese exercise, and now teaches it it’s nice when someone recognizes it for various groups in the area. Skanchy says it is an elegant form of and honors you for it.” One of Norman Skanchy’s spectacular birdhouses. When not in the workshop creating exercise that looks more like a dance the next masterpiece, he likes to hit the than exercise. Most of the work he does is by racquetball court. Playing singles and doubles, he has taken firsts and sec- commission for people familiar with onds at the United States Racquetball his work. About every two years he Association National Championships. participates in an exhibit where he sells First place wins afford him the oppor- many pieces. If you would like more information tunity to compete at the International about Norman’s art, contact him at Racquetball Federation tournament. When in China he also developed a 745-4225. May 20th & June 23rd Reservations required 508 Ogden Canyon Ogden, Utah 84401 392-6775 |