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www.mybaycity.com June 15, 2004
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Woodcarver Jim Parsons creates traditional Cedar bird

YWCA Riverfront Art Festival Opens Summer Season

June 15, 2004       Leave a Comment
By: Stephen Kent

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Bay City's unofficial, but traditional, start of the summer season is the YWCA's Riverfront Art Festival. The 2004 festival continued the trend of the last few years and enjoyed beautiful weather and large crowds.

Art fair regulars found many of their favorite artists, but there were also newcomers. One of the most popular booths was run by the Parsons of Thompsonville. Jim, Ruth and Yvonne Parsons carved traditional cedar birds from Northern White Cedar collected from Michigan forests. As the Parson's explained, the technique of cedar fan and bird carving originated in Russia. From there it spread to Scandinavia then later to the lumber camps of Michigan.

Cedar birds are carved from a single piece of fresh cedar sapwood. It is essential that the wood be fresh and moist. The Parsons harvest their wood, cut it into "blanks" and freeze it for later use. The bird is carved and the "feathers" separated into very thin pieces. Being fresh and wet, the wood bends easily allowing the feathers to be fanned out and interlocked into position. As the wood dries the bird holds its shape.



One of last year's award winners, Jerry Wygant, returned with his popular "Forest Gems" wooden bracelets and accessories. Jerry used salvaged scrap wood, native woods, and wood with a history. His pieces are highly polished but never colored. The beautiful colors and depth are entirely a feature of the wood.

Jerry pointed out two beautiful woods. One was oak which had been salvaged from a great lakes schooner. The other was a beautiful yellow wood from the Michigan "smoke tree".

Everyone enjoys the festival, but kids seem to have the most fun. Face painting is always a popular pasttime. This reporter even saw a couple of young adults getting into the act. They were probably just doing it for the laughing kids. . .

Stars in their eyes
Cooling it with Sponge Bob ice cream bar.

Ron Tschudy of East Jordan discusses his pottery with customers.
Goldy Holdwick of "Rustic Productions" in Kinde, Michigan shows a birdhouse made from recycled wood.
Garden Art Insects by Community Stained Glass of White Lake Michigan
Carvings by "Best In Show" award winner James LaBelle


For more information about the YWCA or the Riverfront Art Festival contact: Tracy Volk, at 989-686-4800. Or visit the YWCA web site at www.bayywca.com.

MyBayCity.Com's archives include articles on the 2003 and 2002 festivals.


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Stephen Kent

Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 40 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations.

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