LIVE "Mountain Mike" Chainsaw Sculptor

Sunday, December 29, 2019 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Tavern Museum Barn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spend some time during Winter Fair watching sculptor “Mountain Mike” as he crafts a large tree into a replica of the renown Moravian Squirrel Flask.  Over the span of the four-day Winter Fair Mike Ayers will create several versions of the Salem pottery artifact. The squirrel was a popular pet and the subject of whimsical representation in paintings, toys, and various ceramic objects in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Moravian potters in North Carolina made press-molded earthenware for more than one hundred and twenty-five years. Rudolph Christ can be credited for the successful production and marketing of press molded figural wares during his tenure as master of the pottery at Salem (1789–1821). The actual artifact can be viewed in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Art’s Moravian Gallery.

Mike is a world-renowned speed carver and member of the US speed carving team. He has competed all over the world. He was 2nd place at the world championships in Mulda, Germany and he took 3rd place at the Australian Chainsaw championships in Melbourne, Vic, Australia. In addition, he has invites to Japan, Russia and South Africa. Awards include: 1st place at Carving at the Casino; 1st place at Chaptacular in Gray, GA for 2 years in a row; Master of the Chainsaw winner 2 years in a row; and 1st & 2nd place at Ridgway Rendezvous in PA.

December 26, 27, 28th (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM) and Sunday December 30th (1:00 PM – 4:30 PM)