The Passion in Wood and Straw

Exhibit at UD’s Marian Library presents
“The Passion in Wood and Straw”

April 1 - May 12, 2006

Crosses carved from wood in the Lithuanian folk art tradition and images of Christ “painted” with appliquéd straw in Polish folk art style are on exhibit through May 12 in the Marian Library Gallery on the University of Dayton campus.

Traditional Lithuanian designs and symbols are incorporated in the crosses crafted by Daytonian George Mikalauskas, who has been working with wood for more than fifty years. His early crosses were created for wayside shrines, many of them in Lithuania.

Now his crosses represent themes of hope, love, peace and forgiveness. Two of them recall his visits to the cities of Neringa and Palenga on the Baltic Sea.

Mikalauskas’ crosses of oak, walnut, butternut, cherry, coffee wood and linden wood are intended for home use and some of them will be available for purchase.

Pieces of straw and a razor blade take the place of paint and brush in the hands of Marian Paskowicz, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, who began creating straw art at the age of sixteen. Using paintings of famous artists as his guides, Paskowicz has created scenes of the Crucifixion, the Flagellation of Christ and the Pieta in addition to images of the Madonna and Child.

"Many persons in Poland do straw painting," says the artist, who came to this country in 1960, "but in the U.S. it is rare only because artistic persons never have been exposed to it and never have thought of straw as a real or true art medium."

The exhibit includes forty-five carved wooden crosses and seventeen straw paintings.

Admission is free and the gallery is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Special arrangements for other times can be made by calling 229-4254.

George A. Mikalauskas

The articles in this program were handcrafted by wood carver George A. Mikalauskas. Mr Mikalauskas has been working with wood since early in his life.

Born to parents from Lithuania and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Mikalauskas continues the traditional arts of his forefathers. The wooden pieces range in size from 3" to huge and ornate wayside shrines capping 14' tall. Below you will see the oak, walnut, butternut, cherry, coffee wood and linden wood pieces made for the home.

imthewoodcarver@aol.com

Marian Paskowicz

Marian Paskowicz has been an exhibitor in the past. You will find more works and information on the website http://www.udayton.edu/mary/gallery/goldenmadonnas.html. Pieces of straw and a razor blade take the place of paint and brush in the hands of Marian Paskowicz, of Norristown, Pennsylvania. "Many persons in Poland do straw painting," says the artist, who came to this country in 1960, "but in the U.S. it is rare only because artistic persons never have been exposed to it and never have thought of straw as a real or true art medium." Marian Paskowicz began doing straw art at the age of sixteen.

"The work demands art ability, manual dexterity, and patience," he says. "Yet, it is restful and rewarding, and one of the best ways I know for many persons who have great creative drive to satisfy this urge when they can't paint or sculpt."