Wood carvings on display at the Chilton Public Library PDF Print E-mail
Written by Mark Ignatowski, Editor   
Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:26
    Gene Ninedorf spends his free time carving sculptures out of wood, but he won’t call it a job.

    “If it’s a job, I want nothing to do with it,” Ninedorf said. “It’s supposed to be fun.”

    Ninedorf first discovered his hobby in Milwaukee when he was eight years old. Some of his friends had taken an interested in the craft after seeing a man at the local park carving. About two weeks later, however, his family moved to Madison and his carving fell by the wayside.

    Ninedorf wound up working on a farm in Sturgeon Bay several years later. He moved to Chilton when his father, a brick layer, said Seehauer Construction needed more help. Gene ended up working 44 years in construction in the area.

    But for the last twenty years, Ninedorf has been passing the time restoring on old cars and carving wood.

    “As long as you enjoy it, it’s alright,” Ninedorf said. “Some people carve full-time and probably wind up getting sick of it. I don’t feel that way about it yet.”

    And remarkably, Ninedorf still has the original toolset he got when he was a boy. The items are still in the original box, as well. And while Ninedorf still uses these tools, he has had to expand his tool box to take on different projects, including a life size wood carving modeled after his grandfather.

    The statue weighs about 250 pounds, Neindorf said.

    “Would you believe that we’re the same size?” Ninedorf asked. “He’s got quite a few pounds on me, but we’re the same height and width.”

    Ninedorf said basswood is the ideal wood for carving. Other types include light cedar, black walnut and butternut.

    According to Ninedorf most of his projects were done in different classes and workshops he has attended throughout the state and the Midwest. Ninedorf said instructors have different patterns and models that students can follow to create their own artwork.

    Ninedorf’s carvings will be on display at the Chilton Public Library for about a month. The display is located in the back of the library overlooking the river. Stop the library anytime during business hours.
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