ART STUDIO: If you’re thumbing through the current edition of
Pennsylvania magazine, you’ll find your attention drawn by the
photos linked to a story of interest to area readers.

The first shot worthy of a second look features a close-up of a
young girl’s face intently working on sculpting a clay mask, which
almost seems to wait, open-mouthed, for her fingers to give it
eyes.

On the opposite page are photos of two men holding heavy
chainsaws, carving blocks of wood into what will become sculptures
of owls perched on trees.

Where is this place where art from two such different
perspectives is created?

The answer can be found in a “gray, drab, corrugated-steel hulk
of a structure, on the outskirts of the once-prosperous but still
quaint lumber town of Ridgway,” as the article titled “Rock, Paper
… Chainsaw?” reads.

That’s the location of the Appalachian Art Studio, located at
17245 Boot Jack Road along U.S. Route 219. It’s run by
chainsaw-carving artist Rick Boni and his wife, Liz. Rick also
originated the Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous nine years
ago.

According to the article, the success of the chainsaw event
enabled the couple to get state funding to open their studio in an
abandoned factory – one requiring extensive repairing and
remodeling.

“The community rallied to make the art studio a reality,” the
piece reads. “Contractors donated building supplies, and volunteers
went to work.”

Now the main gallery is filled with oil paintings, huge wooden
sculptures of dragons, eagles and, yes, even gigantic women. Open
rooms filled with furniture allow visitors to sit and soak in the
studio’s art at their leisure.

The facility also includes a gallery and museum chronicling the
history and growth of chainsaw sculpture as art. It also houses a
print shop, a darkroom and pottery studio with seven motorized
pottery wheels and two large kilns.

In addition to the chainsaw carving, lessons are offered in
pottery, painting, soap and perfume making, photography and
printmaking – taught by nine teachers. Groups or individuals are
invited to stop by, look and even roll up their sleeves and create,
if the muse so inspires them.

The studio, the owners stress, makes art available to
everyone.

Liz Boni says in the article that art is the pathway to
creativity. Adults, in particular, she says, need to remember how
to be creative since doing so “nurtures the soul.”