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When sculptor and Professor of Art Emeritus Doug Calisch began crafting fine furniture at Split Cedar Studios, it wasn\u2019t much of a stretch. He had picked up the skills at a furniture maker\u2019s shop years before he began teaching at Wabash. He insists that the process isn\u2019t much different from the steps he takes in creating sculpture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI still gather materials, often salvaged or re-purposed wood, design the project even as I\u2019m collecting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, as in his artwork, there\u2019s often a story: The red oak lumber in a table came from a client\u2019s homestead; ceramic medallions from another customer\u2019s collection became detail accents on a dresser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His most recent public project\u2014the Peace Pole in Crawfordsville\u2014followed a slightly different pattern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pole was made from white oak salvaged from a grain elevator in New Ross, and I designed the project\u2014but I didn\u2019t do the cutting or fabrication myself. I was more a choreographer than an artist.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, he says, the fun part was reaching out to local businesses. He took a computer file to Stull\u2019s Machine Shop in Ladoga, and they did the lettering; B & L Engineering in Crawfordsville fabricated the metal pieces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo instead of objects, I gathered the people that we needed to make the piece, but the process is about the same.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People have been the \u201cbig surprise\u201d in his furniture work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing a sculptor is solitary\u2014you do it, you\u2019re satisfied yourself, then you put it out to the world. But with the furniture, it\u2019s essential to engage clients early in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI recently did a huge project, and the clients came out to the studio. They saw the other work I was doing, and we talked; I made a model and we talked about that; and as I was working, every few days I\u2019d send a couple photos of the piece and we\u2019d talk about those. A lot of back and forth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI love solving complex design problems myself. But these conversations are a critical part of the process too. And I didn\u2019t expect to enjoy that part of it that much\u2014that collaboration. It\u2019s very satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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